Crime blotter: Reported offenses in the Tri-parishes

Traffic stop leads to criminal discovery

A Thibodaux man who failed to use a blinker was ticketed last Monday and arrested on two firearm charges and four drug charges, according to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Christopher J. Smith, 45, of 104 Hackberry St., was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; illegal carrying of a weapon in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance; possession of a Legend Drug without a prescription; possession of Xanax; possession of crack cocaine; and possession of marijuana, LPSO spokesman Brennan Matherne said.

Shortly after 10 p.m. on June 4, narcotics agents observed a car turn left from Tiger Drive onto St. Mary Highway and then into a parking lot without using a turn signal, the spokesman said.

Officers found a set of brass knuckles and identified Smith, who has been arrested more than a dozen times in 14 years. A K-9 officer was called to the scene and agents searched the vehicle, Matherne said.

The agents found marijuana, five non-narcotic pills and one Xanax pill, Matherne said. A handgun was found inside the dashboard, and Smith was carrying crack cocaine.

Smith was booked at the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in lieu of a $115,550 bond.

Smith’s criminal history dates back to 1988. He’s been arrested on 14 prior occasions, including charges of armed robbery, aggravated battery with a dangerous weapon, distribution of a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance and distribution of Extacy.

TPSO looking for Houma man

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office is seeking a Houma man pursuant to a handful of charges.

Tate Paul Allemand, 27, of 528 Mahler St., faces charges of domestic abuse battery in the presence of a juvenile, four counts of aggravated assault, simple criminal damage to property and possession of marijuana.

Houma man accused of stealing credit card

A Houma man turned himself into investigating authorities after he allegedly burglarized a home and used a stolen credit card to make purchases at various locations, according to the Houma Police Department.

Antonio Valdivia Jr., 29, of 105 Jerome Court, was charged with simple burglary and two counts of unauthorized use of an access card. HPD detectives later learned that Valdivia had two outstanding warrants through Houma City Court relative to traffic issues.

Valdivia was identified with the help of the public after HPD released a photo that showed a man using the credit card at a local business. Valdivia turned himself in two days after the burglary, police said.

Valdivia allegedly entered the residence, on the 500 block of Apache Road, by breaking a window pane on the home’s rear door, police said.

Two arrested in Academy Sports theft

Two women were arrested earlier this month for allegedly stealing more than $600 worth of men’s and women’s clothing from Academy Sports and Outdoors in Houma, according to the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Candice Maria Dansereau, 23, of 824 LaFort By-Pass Road, Thibodaux, and Rachel Danielle Green, 26, of 174 Faith Trailer Court, Houma, were booked in lieu of $50,000 bond.

The stolen merchandise was recovered, according to TPSO Sheriff Vernon Bourgeois.

Two women arrested for alleged drive-by shooting

Two Thibodaux women were arrested Thursday and charged in connection with a drive-by shooting on Primrose Street last month that injured no one, according to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Jessie Andre, 20, of 2467 Pineridge St., and Daymin Benoit, 17, of 106 St. Peter St., were charged with assault by drive-by shooting and aggravated criminal damage to property. Both were released Thursday after they each posted a $50,000 bond.

At about 11:30 p.m. on May 15, Andre and Benoit fired two rounds into the home of Benoit’s ex-boyfriend and immediately fled the scene, LPSO spokesman Brennan Matherne said. One bullet entered the home.

The case is still under investigation, Matherne said.

HPD ramps up juvenile-related crime awareness

Two Houma stores were found in violation of state law that prohibits the sale of tobacco to persons under the age of 18, according to the Houma Police Department, which conducted a sting operation last week.

Carol Scarpinito, of 121 Carolyn Ave., and Kendra Leemans, of 304 Hellier St., received citations on behalf of Bayou Express and Houma Truck Plaza, respectively.

The stores were among 24 Houma establishments tested by HPD. The police department sent underage people in the stores, as part of an initiative funded by $187,220 in grant money the department received from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.

HPD also asked the public to be mindful of the city curfew, which makes it unlawful for a minor under the age of 17 to be out unsupervised between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday and between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Friday through Sunday.

Camp burglary yields arrest

Tony Joseph Lebouef, 24, of 108 Klondyke Road, Bourg, and Russell Joseph Nelton Jr., 30, homeless, were charged Sunday with two counts of simple burglary, the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office reported.

The owner of a camp in the 6600 block of La. Highway 56 in Chauvin told deputies the camp burglar alarm was sounding as he arrived at the site. Lebouef and Nelton Jr. were driving away in a green Ford Explorer.

A patrol deputy spotted the vehicle at the intersection of La. Highways 56 and 57 and conducted a traffic stop.

The two were arrested after a stolen refrigerator was found inside the Explorer.

Lebouef and Nelton were also tied to another camp burglary in the Chauvin area and were subsequently charged. Bond for each man is set at $75,000.

Anyone with information concerning the investigation is asked to call the TPSO detective bureau at (985) 876-2500.

LPSO sets insurance checkpoint for Friday

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office is conducting an insurance checkpoint Friday in the southern part of the parish. Deputies will be checking insurance and child restraints.

During the last daylight checkpoint – held Jan. 17 on St. Mary Street in Thibodaux – 197 vehicles were checked. All drivers were found to be in compliance, authorities said.

Motorists who encounter the checkpoint should be prepared to present a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance for the vehicle. Any motorists found to not have insurance during the checkpoint will have their license plates removed and could have their vehicle impounded.

Missing man found dead

The body of a missing Houma man has been identified by authorities as being that of Harold “Flour Bread” Lyons, 66, of 9121 Main St.

During the night of June 10, Houma Police were called to 9117 Main St. where an unidentified woman reported not having seen Lyons since June 8, when he was seen near Ham’s Lounge.

Shortly after noon on Monday, Lyon’s body was found in Bayou Terrebonne.

An autopsy was conducted at the Jefferson Parish Forensic Center to determine the cause of death. The investigation is ongoing as witness statements and evidence are still being gathered. Anyone with information is asked to call the Houma Police Department at 873-6371 or Bayou Region Crime Stoppers at 1-800-743-7433.