Duson, La. (KLFY) Duson police warn residents that stolen license plates can be used to commit crimes.

Police Chief Kip Judice explains the Duson’s Automatic License Plate Recognition System alerted his officers to a vehicle exiting I-10 westbound with a switched license plate on Sunday.  

The responding officer stopped the vehicle and questioned the driver.

Duson police say 33-year -old Paige Arnaud of Lawtell admitted she had drugs in her possession.

The chief says females have become more active in drug related crimes.

“Often we tend to stereo type drug dealers as males but more likely now we’re seeing more females carrying drugs and young people carrying drugs,” the chief said.

According to the police report, the drugs confiscated included about $6,000 worth of methamphetamine, one dose of LSD and marijuana.

The reported drug paraphernalia included a glass pipe and digital scale.

The chief warns criminals will often steal a license plate to help cover-up a crime.

Judice says memorize your license plate number.

If the plate is stolen, immediately report the theft to police.

“Because what’s happening is someone is stealing a car very similar to the model and make of your car.

They’re taking that license plate and swapping it out to the car they stole.  When we run the license plate and it doesn’t appear that vehicle was stolen and it’s the same type of vehicle; but when you travel down the road it’s going to show that your vehicle is stolen,” Chief Judice added.

Arnaud was booked into the Acadia Parish Jail on charges that include possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of stolen property which is the license plate.  

ORIGINAL STORY: DUSON, La. (KLFY) — A Lawtell woman was arrested on Sunday after crime cameras around the town of Duson noted a license plate that had been reported stolen.

Paige Arnaud, 33, of Lawtell, was arrested and charged with possession of stolen property, possession of marijuana and possession of meth with intent to distribute.

Duson Police Chief Kip Judice said the cameras captured the plates of a black Honda Accord on Austria Rd that had previously been reported stolen. A traffic stop led to the recovery of over $6,000 worth of meth, marijuana, and baggies intended for the additional sales of the meth.