CRIME BLOTTER: Reported offenses around the Tri-parishes

Gibson man hits deputy, escapes patrol car

A Gibson man is being held on a $75,000 bond after he allegedly hit a deputy in the face and escaped from the back of a patrol car following a hit-and-run investigation, Terrebonne Sheriff Jerry Larpenter said.

Devin Bradley, 18, of 111 Jarvis St., is charged with disturbing the peace by loud and abusive language, hit and run driving, simple battery on a police officer, resisting arrest by violence, careless operation and simple escape.

Bradley allegedly drove a blue Jeep Cherokee through a yard in the 5500 block of Bayou Black Drive in Gibson, causing ruts and striking a picnic table. The victim told deputies the Cherokee could be found at the 100 block of Tasha Court in Gibson, and further investigation yielded Bradley as the suspect, Larpenter said.

When the deputy first attempted to place Bradley under arrest, Bradley hit and spit in the deputy’s face, Larpenter said.

Handcuffed, Bradley later escaped from the backseat of the patrol car while the deputy spoke to witnesses and ran, Larpenter said. The door to the patrol car was shut, according to the sheriff.

Additional deputies arrived on scene and were able to track down Bradley, who had fled to a wooded area near Tasha Court. He was taken to the Terrebonne Parish Jail.

Fake cocaine deal results in 2 arrests

Two Houma men were arrested after one allegedly sold the other $100 in fake crack cocaine, which was actually a plastic bag filled with soap, Houma Police Chief Todd Duplantis said.

Keith Ross, 50, of Brooklyn Avenue, was first issued a summons for aggravated assault at about 11 a.m. on July 7 after witnesses said he was asking people for money and threatening them with a screwdriver, Duplantis said.

Police had responded to a laundry mat and found Ross walking along New Orleans Boulevard, Duplantis said. The screwdriver was seized as evidence.

Just before noon, an officer responded to a motel on New Orleans Boulevard in response to a possible burglary. When they arrived, Edward Everett Parr, 43, of Houma, told officers Ross had sold him fake crack cocaine and ran away with $100, Duplantis said.

Parr was arrested for conspiracy to purchase crack cocaine.

Ross was found near Roussell and Main streets, where he was arrested for distribution of fake cocaine and theft under $300. While he was being booked, Ross allegedly made threatening statements as to what he would do after his release, so he was also charged with public intimidation, Duplantis said.

Both men were booked at the Terrebonne Parish Jail.

LPSO releases video footage of attempted thefts

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office released two home surveillance videos of suspects who allegedly tried to ply their trade last week.

In the first video, taken outside a Cut Off home on June 29, an unknown male subject unsuccessfully tries to pull open the back door and then looks through the home’s rear window before leaving the scene.

The video was shot shortly after 1 a.m., LPSO spokesman Brennan Matherne said.

Based on the video, detectives believe the suspect is a white or Hispanic male, and he is now wanted for questioning in reference to other area burglaries, Matherne said.

At about 2 a.m. on July 7, a Cut Off resident reported that someone had attempted to steal his truck. Investigating deputies learned that the resident had his truck stolen twice before, and both times the truck was returned to the residence with diesel fuel from a tank in the rear of the truck missing, according Brennan Matherne.

On the second occasion, a car was stolen from the same residence. It was found abandoned along La. Highway 1, Matherne said.

The resident was able to capture video footage of a suspect with a home surveillance camera.

LPSO is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for motor vehicle thefts. The videos are posted online at www.tri-parishtimes.com.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bayou Region Crime Stoppers at 1-800-743-7433 or www.crimestoppersbr.org.

Fleeing man drives motorcycle into canal at 70 mph

A Houma man who drove his motorcycle into a Lockport canal after an 8-mile police chase in which he reached an estimated speed of 120 mph was arrested on July 8.

Kenneth Wagner, 31, of 415 Country Estates Drive, allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign before turning from Phillip Street in Raceland onto La. Highway 1 shortly after 4 a.m.

Deputies tried to initiate a traffic stop, but Wagner refused and instead accelerated, Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Brennan Matherne said.

Wagner allegedly led deputies on an 8-mile chase in which he refused to stop at traffic lights and reached speeds approaching 120 mph, Matherne said.

Once he reached Lockport, Wagner drove down North Main Street at about 60 mph, then drove through the yard of a residential property on North Barrios Street and proceeded into the Company Canal, Matherne said.

Wagner was going approximately 70 mph when he drove into the canal, according to deputies.

A deputy jumped into the canal and assisted Wagner, who struggled to swim, Matherne said. Once on shore, Wagner complained of difficulty breathing and shoulder pain. He was treated at the scene, and his motorcycle was recovered later that morning, Matherne said.

Wagner was charged with aggravated flight from an officer, criminal trespassing, failure to stop at a stop sign, improper turn and no insurance. He was held in lieu of $10,450 bond at the Lafourche Parish Detention Center.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office announces arrests

The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office announced the following arrests between July 12-15:

Edin Omar Soto Suazo, 25, of 547 Railroad Ave., Morgan City, was arrested July 13 for careless operation of a vehicle and operating a vehicle without lawful presence in the United States.

Suazo was allegedly involved in a vehicle crash on the corner of Lake Paulourde Road and Duval Street in Amelia. He was unable to produce a driver’s license and the arresting deputy learned Suazo was in the country illegally, St. Mary Sheriff Mark Hebert said.

Suazo was booked at the parish jail, and bond was not set at the time of the release.

Bryson Skinner, 18, of 1061 Grace St., Morgan City, was arrested July 13 at his residence on a warrant from the Morgan City Police Department for illegal use of a weapon and possession of a firearm in a firearm free zone.

Elias Todd, 18, of 427 La. Highway 182, Bayou Vista, was arrested July 14 for possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance and possession of a Schedule IV CDS. A deputy responding to a complaint of a fight at Todd’s residence found 16.5 pills of Vyvance and Valium in Todd’s pocket, Hebert said.

Todd was booked at the parish jail, and no bond had been set by the time of the press release.

Roderick Rodriguez, 40, of 9365 La. Highway 182, was arrested July 14 for aggravated assault, contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile and driving under suspension.

Rodriguez allegedly pulled out a gun during an argument and threatened a victim. He was located on Highway 182, and a gun was found in his vehicle, Hebert said. There was also a juvenile in the vehicle.

Rodriguez was booked at the parish jail and later released on a $3,000 bond.

Jeremy D. Wilson, 33, of 135 Barrone St., Baldwin, was arrested July 15 for possession of marijuana, fourth offense.

Wilson was allegedly involved in a vehicle crash near St. Peter Road and Martin Luther King Drive in Jeanerette. During the investigation, the responding deputy allegedly found marijuana on the passenger’s seat.

Wilson was booked at the parish jail. Bond was not set at the time of the press release.

Edward G. Delone Jr., 39, of 612 Beech St., New Iberia, was arrested July 15 for illegal possession of stolen things (a vehicle) and driving under suspension.

Delone allegedly crashed the stolen vehicle in a ditch along St. Joseph Lane in Franklin. The responding deputy learned the vehicle was reported stolen and arrested Delone. He was taken to the parish jail, and bond was not set at the time of the press release.

Jason W. Johnson, 33, of 912 Tenth St., Franklin, and Anson T. Paul, 35, of 407 Liner St., Franklin, were arrested July 15 at a retail store in Bayou Vista for theft of goods.

Johnson and Paul allegedly opened bottles of cologne and stored them in their pockets. The merchandise is valued at about $215, Hebert said.

Both suspects were transported to the parish jail and were later released on a $1,000 bond.

Gary L. Smith, 52, of 2137 Becnel St., Franklin, was arrested July 15 for possession of a firearm with an obliterated number, possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance and possession of a Legend Drug.

A deputy responding to a complaint at Smith’s residence found several guns and a pill bottle containing Lortab and Cipro, Hebert said. Two of the guns’ serial numbers were obliterated, the sheriff added.

Smith was booked at the parish jail, and bond had not been set at the time of the press release.