Two men and a juvenile accused of stealing then killing three young alligators from the Tchefuncte River near Madisonville were arrested earlier this month, state wildlife authorities said this week.

The alligators, roughly 1-year-old and 14 to 16 inches long, were each found dead, two on the floorboard and one in the stern of a flatboat stopped by authorities near the mouth of the Tchefuncte River, said Capt. Len Yokum, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesman.

Ryan H. Lam, 19, Ryan S. Crain, 19, and a 16-year-old, all from Covington, were arrested July 5 on several charges, including taking alligators during a closed season, when agents working near Madisonville rice fields stopped their boat after receiving several complaints of alligator thefts, Yokum said. The 16-foot flatboat did not have “running lights,” giving agents cause to stop the vessel, he said.

During questioning, agents discovered the three fishermen were bow fishing when Lam caught two of the alligators and the juvenile caught one. It was unclear how the alligators were killed, but agents ruled out gun blasts.

“Our guys didn’t see any bullet holes,” Yokum said. “But (the trio) never stated how they killed them.”

Although it’s hard to pinpoint the actual number of alligators stolen yearly, 136 cases of illegal possession or theft have occurred since 2006, Yokum said.

Some months its not uncommon for 15 illegal kills to be reported in a month. Others times, there are month-long stretches when none are reported, he said.

“We know it probably happens more than we know about,” Yokum said.

Alligator pelts routinely sell for $35 a piece depending on size, and with September being the only month state officials permit alligator hunting, many turn to poaching during the off season, Yokum said.

Often, infant alligators like those killed, are caught because they are inquisitive, he said.

“There are so many (alligators) in the state right now, they are just curious. They are accustomed to us being in their bayous. Sometimes they come out to see what’s happening,” Yokum said. “The bigger ones won’t. They’re smart, that’s why they got so big.”

Meanwhile Lam, Crain and the juvenile face up to 120 days in jail, fines between $450 to $900 or both after each were arrested and booked into St. Tammany Parish Jail on charges of taking alligators during a closed season and illegal possession of alligators.

Lam was also cited for operating a vessel with an expired boat registration and without running lights, while Crain was charged with angling without a basic license.

An additional $50 fine could be levied for each of those offenses, according to a press release.

Both men and the juvenile must also pay civil restitution for the value of the alligators, according to a press release.

The juvenile was released to the custody of his parents.

Agents seized the boat and a 25-horsepower Evinrude outboard motor.