Crime Blotter: Reported offenses in the Tri-parishes

Authorities charge one, seek another on murder

One suspect is in custody of the Houma Police Department and another person described as a person of interest remains at large for a possible role in a murder.

On Nov. 24, HPD received a call regarding a shooting that took place on the 200 block of Carolyn Avenue.

Through investigation, authorities learned that Connely Duplantis, 66, of Gloster, Ms., was visiting relatives when a male suspect shot him before running through the adjacent yard toward Mary Ann Street.

Duplantis was taken to Terrebonne General Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

On Nov. 25, HPD continued its investigation and interviewed several suspects and witnesses in and around the area.

Through that investigation, authorities identified Leron Calloway, 17, of Cherbourg Street, Houma, as a person of interest. During that time, authorities also learned that Calloway had an outstanding warrant for first-degree robbery.

The next day, authorities also identified Randy James Wallace Jr., 18, of Thomas Drive, Houma, as a person of interest in the case.

Wallace was located by authorities this week and questioned. After questioning, he was charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery. Wallace was taken to the Terrebonne Parish Jail where he awaits bond.

Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and further information will be released in the coming days.

On Monday morning, the Houma Police Department announced that it has filed warrants for first-degree murder and armed robbery for Calloway.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Houma Police at (985) 873-6371.

Tipster utilizes TPD smartphone app to help police locate felon

The Thibodaux Police Department’s smart phone app had helped nab a suspected criminal that was wanted for drug charges.

Last Friday, the TPD said it received an anonymous tip from its app claiming that Brad Leonard, 26, of 620 Cypress St., Thibodaux, was hiding at his home. Officers received the tip and were able to locate the suspect and place him under arrest.

Leonard was wanted on charges of failure to appear for pretrial possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Before Leonard’s arrest, Thibodaux Police Chief Scott Silverii touted that TPD conducted its first-ever virtual arrest round-up via the smart phone app, which helped the office locate subjects wanted for various warrants.

Suspect arrested after cerebral palsy donations go missing

A 32-year-old Thibodaux man allegedly thought the money on the counter was free for the taking.

But when authorities learned that the cash belonged to cerebral palsy research, the man was placed behind bars.

Around 2:35 a.m. on Oct. 15, authorities said that Frank McKenzie, 32, of 535 Paula Drive, Thibodaux, went to a convenience store in the 100 block of West First Street and took nearly $40 from a cerebral palsy donation canister.

After authorities learned of the crime, they sent out a picture of the suspect via media and social media, asking for the public’s help in identifying the man.

Thanks to a tip from CrimeStoppers, authorities said they identified the man taking the money as McKenzie, which assisted in placing him under arrest this past week.

Through investigation, authorities said they were also able to pin McKenzie to three other theft cases in the city.

In one of the cases, authorities said McKenzie used physical force on an employee to get away with stolen goods.

McKenzie is charged with three counts of theft of goods (felony) and one count of theft.

The suspect is being held in lieu of a $18,000 bond. But he is being held by the Louisiana Probation and Parole board.

Suspect charged with second-degree murder

A 37-year-old is in custody after he allegedly shot and killed a man.

At 7:19 p.m. on Nov. 27, Houma Police responded to the 200 block of Naquin Street in reference to a disturbance.

Once on the scene, authorities said officers could hear a disturbance going on behind 212 Naquin Street. While approaching the scene, authorities said they heard what appeared to be a gunshot and then a black male wearing a dark jacket emerging alongside a vehicle with a weapon in his hand.

Once on location, officers said they also saw a black male lying on the ground with a gunshot wound.

Through investigation, authorities identified the man with the weapon as LaMont Sherrell Mosley, 37, of 212 Naquin St., and immediately took him into custody.

Authorities said Mosley is originally from Florida.

Acadian Ambulance arrived on the scene and identified the shot victim as Lorenzo Porche, 21, of Houma.

He was pronounced dead on the scene.

During investigation, HPD learned that Mosley and the victim’s mother were involved in a relationship, while residing at the Naquin Street location.

Authorities learned that Mosely decided to move out of the residence. When confronted by the estranged girlfriend and the victim, a verbal confrontation took place, which escalated to violence, according to authorities. Police said Mosley then pulled a Ruger .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol and fired at Porche, striking him in the upper torso.

Mosley is being charged with second-degree murder in the incident.

He was transported to the Terrebonne Parish Jail where he awaits bond.

Person of interest sought in fatal shooting

The Houma Police Department has identified a 23-year-old as a person of interest in a weekend shooting that killed a 45-year-old Houma man and injured another.

On Dec. 1 at 8:26 p.m., the Houma Police responded to the BP Gas Station in reference to a shooting.

Once on the scene, authorities learned that a male victim was shot at the location and taken to the hospital by family.

During investigation, it was learned that Travis Moses Sr., 45, of 1102 Lafayette St., Houma, was in an altercation with another man when shots were fired and Moses was shot.

Authorities said the victim suffered injuries to his upper torso in the shooting and he was pronounced dead later that evening.

Authorities also said another victim was struck in the arm during the shooting and treated at Terrebonne General Medical Center.

Through investigation, authorities were able to obtain surveillance footage from the business, which has led authorities to identify Ketrell Bolden, 23, of 155 Jennings Lane as a person of interest in the incident.

Anyone that knows Bolden’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Houma Police Department or the Bayou Region Crime Stoppers at 1-800-743-7433.

Suspect arrested in burglary

A 23-year-old Chauvin man is in custody of the Houma Police Department after a burglary complaint in Houma.

On Nov. 26, authorities said they were called to Louise Street by a complainant that claimed that when she and her husband returned home, the interior light of their 2003 Chrysler Sebring was on.

Upon looking at surveillance video, the couple said they observed a white male suspect walk into their yard, open the vehicle’s door, bend into it and look inside before walking away.

The couple said nothing appeared to be missing from the vehicle.

Authorities said the recognized the suspect in the video as Marshall M. Prevost, 23, of Chauvin Street, Chauvin. He was involved in a disturbance earlier in the day on Louise Street, according to authorities.

Officers located the suspect on the 500 block of Louise Street and questioned him about the incident. He denied the allegations, but was arrested for simple burglary and taken to the Terrebonne Parish Jail.

56-year-old arrested on drug charges

The Morgan City Police Department arrested a suspect this week that authorities believe was trafficking drugs that is close to public school property.

On Nov. 26, authorities said they executed a search warrant at a Poplar Street residence as the result of an investigation into illegal narcotics from the residence – which was next to a St. Mary Parish school campus.

During the search, authorities said they recovered suspected marijuana, scales and other items of drug paraphernalia from Harry J. Fluker, 56, of Poplar Street, Morgan City.

He is charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, violation of uniformed controlled dangerous substance law within 1,000 feet of a school zone and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Authorities said Fluker is awaiting bond.