Suspect Sought in Septic Tank Equipment Theft
HAMMOND (March 16, 2026)- The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office (TPSO) needs the public’s help locating a man accused of stealing and reselling septic tank parts.
Gilbert Bruce Starkey, Jr., 41, is wanted on two counts of Felony Theft in connection with several cases.
On February 12, TPSO received a theft report about an air compressor from a septic tank and a blower missing from a home on Oscar Starkey Lane in Hammond. During the investigation, two additional reports were filed of septic tank parts stolen from a business on Pumpkin Center Road. Each piece of equipment is valued at more than $1,500.
Through the investigation, detectives received information that Starkey may be a person of interest in the case. Then, detectives found social media posts by Starkey attempting to sell the items.
Sheriff Gerald Sticker encourages anyone with information about where Starkey can be located to contact Det. Earl McFarland at 985-514-8181 or 985-351-8942.
If you’d prefer to share information anonymously, you can do so through CrimeStoppers of Tangipahoa’s tip line at 1-800-554-5245 or visit www.tangicrimestoppers.com and click on the P3 Tips icon or Submit A Tip!
You may be eligible for a cash reward.
TPSO Public Information Office, pio@tpso.org
