AUTHORITIES NAB FRANKLIN

Terrebonne Parish deputies snared the one that got away Thursday morning, swooping down on a home in the Mary-dale subdivision near Thi-bodaux and taking 39-year-old Chance Franklin without incident.

Authorities said a telephoned tip is what led to Franklin’s arrest.

Franklin escaped from custody last month in Houma after city police there picked him up on outstanding warrants. It was the second time the drug-dealing fugitive gave cops the slip, having scrambled away from a raid in January, earning him a place on Terrebonne’s “most wanted” list.

Described by narcotics officers as a “bad actor,” Franklin was convicted of drug violations in federal court in relation to his association with a Morgan Street gang called the “Up Da Bayou Boyz,” whose members had direct connections to a Mexican drug cartel.

Under the supervision of Maj. Terry Daigre, deputies joined forces with federal marshals and State Police Thursday morning. An informant had told agents that Franklin was in town and officers placed him under close surveillance for two days, according to police sources. Thursday morning they pounced, the element of surprise with them, swarming a home at 128 Line Street where Franklin had been sleeping. Franklin was picked up on an outstanding warrants for heroin distribution, 2nd degree battery, and failure to appear in court on marijuana and child support charges.

“I’d like to thank the individual that called us,” Larpenter said. “Without the trust of the public we don’t get the information. I am glad the people have trust in us that we are going to get this individual and that we are not going to put their name out on the street. The other agencies when we called for help they were ready to give us help.”

Since escaping custody, authorities considered Chance Franklin as one of the most wanted men in Terrebonne Parish. He custody on warrants for several charges, including heroin distribution, second-degree battery and other offenses.

COURTESY