Cops arrest man wanted for questioning in Nathan Millard’s death

Louisiana authorities have arrested a man who allegedly used the debit card of a Georgia father-of-five whose body was found rolled up in a carpet – and tried to “disguise” a stolen car he was seen driving near the crime scene in South Baton Rouge.

Derrick Perkins, 45, was arrested Tuesday on charges of damage to property, three counts of access device fraud and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, as well as probation violation, WBRZ reported.

He had been seen driving a 2004 Toyota Camry near the vacant lot where Nathan Millard, 42, was dumped – wrapped in plastic and rolled up in a carpet – after he reportedly died of an accidental overdose.

A police spokesman told the news outlet that the car was found burned on Monday.

Perkins had spray-painted its bumper, removed a rear bumper sticker and swapped the license plate in an effort to “disguise” the vehicle when news about Millard’s disappearance “gained national attention,” police said.

He also was captured in surveillance footage using Millard’s debit card at two businesses on Highland Road within days of Millard’s disappearance, WBRZ reported, citing arrest records.

His home address is less than a mile from the lot off Scenic Highway where Millard’s body was discovered on March 6, according to the outlet.

Perkins, who was locked up at the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison, has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with the death.

Last week, video emerged of Millard walking with a mystery man along Florida Boulevard shortly before he vanished on Feb. 22.

He had reportedly just left Happy’s Irish Pub, where he was cut off for having too much to drink.

Police do not suspect foul play in the case, but the official cause of death is pending the completion of a full autopsy and police are still investigating how Millard’s body ended up being dumped.  

His family has said police told them he likely died of an overdose.

Millard, who was in Baton Rouge to stake out a prospective gig for his construction company, had gone to a Louisiana State University basketball game and the pub with a client the night of his disappearance.

He is survived by his wife, Amber, their 7-year-old daughter, two teenage sons from a previous marriage and two teenage stepsons.