WHAT HE SAID…
February 24, 2017
FULL STEAM AHEAD
February 24, 2017Lafourche schools deemed safe after online post draws major attention
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre said this afternoon that a social media post threatening violence at a school poses no threat to the people of Lafourche Parish.
In a news release issued this afternoon, authorities determined that the source of the post was an account based in North Carolina. In the post, the user threatened to “shoot up” a school, and the profile indicated that the person’s hometown was Cut Off, Louisiana.
Investigators with the Forsythe County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina have made contact with the owner of the account – a male teenager. They are currently investigating the case, and have told LPSO that there’s no threat to Lafourche Parish.
The release seemingly ends a day of nervous energy for citizens in Lafourche after uncertainty surrounded the post.
LPSO started investigating late Wednesday after the post was found by federal authorities.
Through investigation, authorities traced the account to North Carolina, then sought help from the Forsythe County Sheriff’s Office.
As a precaution, additional resources were deployed to schools in the southern portions of Lafourche Parish on Thurs day morning as the investigation continued.
“It is not clear why this individual chose to list his hometown as Cut Off, but that alone was enough for us to act upon this threat,” Webre said. “We understand this caused some panic in our community, but we want our citizens to know that we were on top of the investigation from the beginning. The additional resources we deployed to area schools were in the interest of the utmost safety of the children.”
Webre added that the case is a sign of the power of social media and how any threats made online will be swiftly taken care of.
Authorities said any charges given in the incident will be handed down in North Carolina.
Suspect arrested for allegedly stealing from elderly woman
A suspect is in custody of the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office after he allegedly stole money from a 73-year-old woman.
On Feb. 9, 2017, TPSO was called to the home of an elderly woman who said that someone was stealing her money. During investigation, deputies learned that someone stole the woman’s money that she had put aside to pay for her medication.
Authorities said the woman was hiding her bank card in her purse, because money had also been stolen from her in the past.
Authorities said during an investigation, they learned that Julian Royer Charpentier, 30, of 3208 Lorraine Park, Houma, had stolen the elderly woman’s bank card and had withdrawn more than $400 from her account. He also allegedly ordered merchandise online with the card without her permission.
Authorities said Charpentier was living with the victim, because she needed assistance.
Deputies arrested Charpentier, charging him with exploitation of the infirm.
He was also charged with exploitation of the infirm for a case in 2013 when he allegedly cashed checks from an elderly man’s account.
Charpentier is held on a $25,000 bond.
Golden Meadow suspect arrested for allegedly firing shots following incident
A Golden Meadow man was arrested last week after he allegedly fired shots after an incident involving his ex-girlfriend.
At around 12:10 p.m. last Thursday, authorities were called to the 24200 block of La. Highway 1 in Golden Meadow after a report that Dylan Melancon, 19, of Golden Meadow, had allegedly shot in the direction of a female.
Upon arrival, authorities said they located Melancon and took him in for questioning.
During an investigation, authorities said they learned that Melancon’s ex-girlfriend had arrived at his residence earlier in the day to retrieve some of her belongings.
Authorities said Melancon arrived shortly after and a verbal altercation allegedly ensued.
According to LPSO, Melancon allegedly pointed a shotgun at the woman after she retreated to a vehicle and then fired two rounds into the ground near the vehicle.
Authorities said during the investigation, they learned that Melancon had struck his ex-girlfriend twice earlier in the week.
The suspect was arrested and charged with two counts of domestic abuse battery, domestic abuse aggravated assault and illegal use of a firearm.
Suspect given robbery charges after foiled trade attempt
A teenager was arrested last week in Lafourche Parish after he allegedly stole electronic cigarette equipment from a victim.
On Feb. 9, authorities were called to a car wash in Bayou Blue in reference to a robbery. When on the scene, investigating authorities learned that Larry Smith Jr., 18, of Gray, had met a male at the car wash, and was attempting to trade a bike for some electronic cigarette equipment.
Once Smith got the equipment, he allegedly refused to give up the bike, which led to a verbal altercation.
Authorities said during the incident, Smith reached into the victim’s vehicle, grabbed a pack of cigarettes and fled the scene on the bike.
Later that day, authorities said they noticed Smith traveling as a passenger in a vehicle and initiated a traffic stop, taking him into custody without incident.
Authorities were able to recover the stolen items.
Smith is charged with simple robbery, and his bond was set at $20,000.
Lafourche man arrested on 5th DWI charge
A Schriever man is charged for his fifth DWI after a traffic stop in Thibodaux last Friday night.
Last Friday at around 10:15 p.m., authorities initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for a speeding violation on Brule Guillot Road in Thibodaux.
Deputies identified the driver as Randolph Himel Jr., 39, of Schriever, and authorities said they immediately detected an odor of alcohol on his breath.
Himel allegedly admitted that he was drinking, and deputies located an open container of alcohol in his vehicle.
Himel subjected himself to a field sobriety test, which he performed poorly.
He also did a breath test and blew a 0.123g%.
Himel was arrested and charged with DWI (5th offense), possession of an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle and speeding.
His bond is set at $100,200, and he is also being held by the Louisiana Probation and Parole Board.
