CRIME BLOTTER: Reported offenses in the Tri-parishes

Fatality crash in Lafourche leads LSP set to target obscure license plates

Louisiana State Police announced this week that it will now target obscured license plates in response to numerous citizen complaints.

LSP spokesman Nick Manale said state law requires vehicle license plates to be clearly displayed. If numbers or letters are obstructed in any way, police say a driver is subject to be ticketed.

“It is imperative that the numbers or letters on the tag be visible and readable,” said LSP Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson. “When they are obscured it impairs accurate reporting by citizens who are attempting to provide police with information on reckless or impaired drivers, motor vehicle crashes, and vehicles involved in criminal acts.”

LSP said they are cracking down on the hidden plates because of public safety.

The colonel said criminal investigations have been solved throughout America because of information that authorities fetch from license plates.

In recent months, complaints have laid out by citizens who claim to see tinted, blurred or mirrored plate covers obstructing numbers.

“Law enforcement professionals work tirelessly every day investigating criminal acts and conducting traffic stops across the state to ensure public safety,” Edmonson said. “While increasingly sophisticated investigative tools are deployed each day, the simple act of being able to clearly read and report a vehicle’s license plate is often the first step to removing dangerous individuals from our communities.”

Houma woman charged with aggravated battery

The Houma Police Department announced it has arrested a 34-year-old woman after an alleged aggravated battery.

On July 25 at approximately 2 p.m., HPD Chief Todd M. Duplantis said police responded to Holy Rosary Church on Main Street in reference to a disturbance.

Upon arrival, officers discovered that Jane D. Racine, 34, of Houma, was involved with a verbal argument with her brother over a washer and dryer.

Police say Racine ran into the brother with her car, striking him in the thigh and buttocks.

Duplantis said the suspect also ordered her brother’s girlfriend and 1-year-old child out of the car, as well, striking them both with the car.

Police say all parties suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Racine was located at her residence on the 12000 block of East Main Street and was arrested for two counts of aggravated battery.

Alleged Sunrise robber arrested

The Houma Police Department has arrested a 53-year-old that it believes robbed the Sunrise Fried Chicken restaurant on 1266 Grand Calliou Road.

Saturday morning at 2 a.m., HPD responded to the local business after its alarm sounded.

Once on the scene, police observed a window to the business was broken.

During the examination of the building, David Parker, of 210 Sanders St., Thibodaux, was spotted running out of the business with an apparent injury to his hand, HPD Lt. Dana Coleman said.

After a brief pursuit, Parker was taken into custody.

Parker was charged with one count of simple burglary. He is being held in the Terrebonne Parish Jail.

Woman arrested for prostitution

A 35-year-old Houma woman is in hot water this week after she allegedly attempted to solicit sex from a detective.

Shortly after midnight Saturday morning, a detective patrolling the westside of Houma in an unmarked car was flagged down at the intersection of Canal and Academy streets by a black female, HPD Lt. Dana Coleman said.

When the detective made contact with the woman, she immediately entered his vehicle on the passenger side and discussed her willingness to perform sexual favors for money.

The detective, who was wearing a polo shirt displaying the department’s logo, took the woman to uniformed officers at B.J.’s Lounge.

Christina Walcott, 35, of 226 Naquin St., Houma, was issued a summons for solicitation for prostitution.

St. Mary Sheriff’s Office makes drug arrest

The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division reports the following arrest this week for drug-related crimes:

Jose Morales, 36, of 300 Franklin St., Morgan City, was arrested on Sunday at 1:25 a.m., at a lounge in Amelia for simple battery, two counts of criminal damage to property, switched license plate, resisting an officer with force, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and transactions involving drug proceeds.

The sheriff’s office said Morales came to deputy’s attention after a fighting complaint at the lounge. Upon arrival, deputies say they observed Morales punching a subject. During investigation, authorities located cocaine and $1,001.00 in cash in his pocket. Upon arrest, authorities say Morales began to bang on the window of the police unit, damaging it. No bond has been set as of press time.