CRIMES

Armed robbery suspects sought by Houma PD

The Houma Police Department is looking for two black males who are allegedly responsible for a scam that turns when completed is an armed robbery.

On May 31, HPD said it responded to separate reports of armed robbery involving two separate victims on Authement Street. The first report came at 12:36 p.m., and the second at 4:08 p.m.

The suspects in the cases were described by victims as being separate black males – both appearing to be teenagers, one slightly older than the other.

The older suspect was wearing a gray shirt, khaki pants and had short curly hair. No description was made available by authorities regarding the younger suspect.

HPD said victims in both cases said they were on Authement Street to meet a female they came in contact with through www.meetme.com. Once on the scene, both were met by the victims who demanded money while armed. Authorities believe this was a setup perpetrated by the suspects to set up a robbery.

The first victim escaped the situation without having anything taken. The second had $120 taken, according to authorities.

Anyone with information regarding the crime is asked to call the Bayou Region Crime Stoppers at 1-800-743-7433.

Body found in Choupic community

Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office authorities are investigating causes of death and/or signs of foul play involving a body found along Dixie Canal near the Sawmill Road launch in Choupic.

LPSO said in the earning morning hours of Monday, a boater identified authorities that he found what was believed to be a body floating in the canal. LPSO Water Patrol deputies and detectives responded to the scene and retrieved the remains.

After careful examination of the remains, a wallet was retrieved belonging to missing Lafourche Parish resident Chad Babin, but authorities said they aren’t able to confirm that the body is Babin at press-time on Monday.

Authorities are awaiting the results of an autopsy, which will be performed by the Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office.

Detectives said they are also unable to determine any obvious causes of death and/or possible foul play.

Chad Michael Babin, of 1526 La. Highway 304, Choupic, was last seen on May 1, and was reported missing by his family on May 3.

Business scam ends in Houma man’s arrest

A 33-year-old Houma man is in custody of the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office after he allegedly sold fake raffle tickets to businesses.

On May 28, TPSO deputies said they were called by local businesses in reference to a scam.

According to authorities, Wally Bazar, 33, of 224 Hollywood Road, Room No. 100, of Houma, went to the businesses and approached folks in the establishment regarding a raffle.

The suspect allegedly said he was trying to raise money for his son, who needed to have a major surgery.

During some of the visits, authorities said that Bazar had a younger male with him, who he allegedly claimed was the boy who needed the surgery.

After further investigation, deputies were able to determine that the raffle tickets were not valid and that this was a scam.

Deputies located the suspect and identified him as Bazar. They arrested him without incident and took him to the Terrebonne Parish Jail on nine counts of theft under $750 and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.

The suspect remains in custody in lieu of a $2,500 bond. Anyone victimized by this alleged scam is asked to call the TPSO.

Convicted felon nabbed for illegal weapons

A convicted felon is in custody of the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office after he was allegedly found carrying a gun and causing a disturbance.

TPSO deputies said they arrived at Bobtown Circle at 11 p.m. on May 29 in reference to gunshots in the area.

Houma Police and Louisiana State Police also responded to the scene to assist the deputies.

According to authorities, the entire area was surrounded and TPSO K-9 officers started to track the suspect, identified as Cedric Cleveland Collins, 28, of 4933 Grand Caillou Road, Houma.

Authorities said that Collins was running through the graveyard away from deputies when a K-9 tracked him down and bit him on the leg.

The suspect’s injuries were not severe and no one else was injured in the incident.

During a search of the area, authorities said they recovered a handgun near where K-9 located Collins.

Collins is charged with illegal use of a weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He remains in the Terrebonne Jail awaiting a bond hearing. Authorities said Collins has a previous arrest history that consists of possession of cocaine, armed robbery, aggravated flight from an officer and simple burglary, among other charges.

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