Art theft hits Angola

ANGOLA — Prison investigators are looking into the theft of a painting of Magnolia Mound Plantation from
an inmate artist at Sunday’s Angola Prison Rodeo, Assistant Warden Bruce Dodd said.

Dodd said the West Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office also will be notified of the reported theft.

Mike Williams, of Zachary, said the painting was one of three of the Baton Rouge landmark painted by inmate Marlowe Parker.

Williams said he and
his wife are friends of Parker.

Parker, 48, was exhibiting the painting at the arts and crafts area of the rodeo arena, and the 18-inch-by-24-inch acrylic work on canvas had won second place in the arts and crafts show for the rodeo, Williams said.

He said the painting was still on display about the time the rodeo performance concluded and may have been taken as spectators were leaving the arena.

“Shoplifting occurs here, just like it does on the street,” Dodd said.

Williams said he wanted the theft publicized in case someone tries to sell it to an unsuspecting buyer.