A 56-year-old woman from Florida, accused of committing thefts across multiple states, is now behind bars after a car crash in Louisiana led police to uncover her suspected crimes.
Authorities say Teresa Webster from Boynton Beach, near Miami, was involved in a multi-state crime spree targeting big retail chains like Dillard’s and Home Depot.
How It All Started
The incident began on July 29, when police in Jennings, Louisiana, responded to a vehicle crash on Interstate 10 (I-10). A trailer had tipped over, and people inside suffered minor injuries. Witnesses told police that Webster’s reckless driving caused the accident. She was at the scene when officers arrived.
Police suspected she was under the influence of drugs, so she was detained and given a toxicology screening. The test results are still pending.
What Police Found
After detaining Webster, officers obtained a search warrant for her vehicle. Inside, they allegedly found drug paraphernalia and several items they believe were stolen from various stores.
The findings linked her to a tool theft at Home Depot in Slidell, Louisiana, and the theft of a $1,350 Louis Vuitton handbag from Dillard’s in Alabama.
Police say surveillance footage from multiple stores along Interstate 10, which stretches from Florida to Texas, showed Webster’s involvement in several other thefts.
Her Criminal Background
According to Jennings Police, Teresa Webster has a long criminal history across four states. Her past charges include drug possession and trafficking, retail theft, fraud, and possession of stolen property.
Due to the scale of her suspected crimes, Jennings police are now working with law enforcement agencies in other states to see if she may be involved in additional offenses.
Webster has been charged with:
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated
Reckless driving
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Driving with a suspended license
Illegal possession of stolen property
She is currently jailed in Jefferson Davis Parish on a $12,500 bond.
What started as a routine investigation into a vehicle crash has uncovered what police believe to be a major interstate theft operation. With thefts stretching across multiple southern states, the case of Teresa Webster highlights how seemingly small incidents can lead to the discovery of much larger crimes.
The investigation is still ongoing, and more charges could be added as police from different states share information. Authorities are urging businesses and the public to come forward if they have seen or experienced anything suspicious involving Webster.
