CRIMES

LPSO seat belt, DWI check Friday

Lafourche deputies will be checking seat belts and for drunk drivers Friday and early Saturday.

Deputies will be checking for seat belt and safety seat violations, as well as other violations such as expired inspection tags. Deputies will also be watching for drivers who are impaired while checking for other traffic safety issues.

Motorists suspected of DWI who refuse to submit to a breathalyzer test will lose their driver’s license for one year (first offense). For a second offense, the penalty increases to two years. Anyone convicted of a DWI offense while their driver’s license is suspended because of another DWI offense will face automatic prison time.

Lafourche Parish is also a “No Refusal” parish, meaning if a suspected drunk driver refuses a breathalyzer test, deputies will seek a search warrant to have that person’s blood tested.

2 Cut Off men arrested for methamphetamine distribution

Eric Castagnetta, 30, and Todd Guilbeau, 38, both of Cut Off, were jailed last Wednesday for distributing methamphetamine, Lafourche sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Brennan Matherne.

Agents with the Drug Task Force picked up Castagnetta Jan. 20 along La. Highway 24 in Larose during a traffic stop. He had 21 grams of meth and 26 pills, including Alprazolam, hydrocodone and oxydonone in his possession, as well as drug paraphernalia and an AR-15 rifle.

He was booked on warrants for two counts of distributions of meth and three counts of contempt of court, Matherne said. He was also charged with possession with intent to distribute meth, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, illegal carrying of a weapon in the presence of a CDS and possession of hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Alprazolam and drug paraphernalia.

Castagnetta’s bond is set at $130,000. He is also being held for Louisiana Probation and Parole.

After a failed attempt Thursday to arrest Guilbeau at his W. 74th Street residence, the Cut Off man surrendered to agents. He was booked on a warrant for distribution of meth and resisting an officer. His bond is set at $51,000.

Arrests made in bicycle holdups

Houma Police arrested Joseph Amacker, 17, and a 15-year-old, both of Cherbourg Street, in connection with two recent armed robberies on Houma’s eastside, Police Chief Dana Coleman said.

Coleman said the pair, armed with handguns, were on bicycles when they approached their victims and demanded cell phones and other items.

The first victim told police he recognized Amacker but couldn’t remember his name. The second victim tried to follow the suspects in his vehicle, but they began shooting at him, Coleman said. The third victim, a woman, said the two initially asked for change. They stole her purse and rode away, the police chief said.

Investigators linked Amacker and the other teen to the incident. A search warrant executed at a Cherbourg Street residence uncovered stolen items, he said.

Amacker was charged with three counts of armed robbery, possession with intent to distribute CDS II (crack cocaine) and possession of CDS I (marijuana). The 15-year-old was charged with possession of stolen property over $500 and transported to the juvenile detention center.

The case remains under investigation, and Coleman said others are suspected of being part of the crimes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers Bayou Region at 1-800-743-7433 or text “GIVEATIP” plus a message to 274637.

LPSO detectives investigating armed robbery

Detectives are searching for a man who entered the Stage department store in Raceland, and demanded cash at gunpoint.

Witnesses told authorities the man walked into the store, grabbed several shirts off the racks, then went to the cashier. He fled with cash and the shirts.

Sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Brennan Matherne said the suspect is black, stands approximately 6 feet tall and weighs 160 pounds. He was wearing black pants, a black jacket and a black beanie hat.

Anyone with information can call the sheriff’s office at 985-532-2255. Anyone wishing to submit information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers Bayou Region at 1-800-743-7433.

2 arrested on dope charges

Houma Police arrested Heidi A. Medice, 24, and Christina Medice, 43, both of Bourg Street, Thursday on a slew of drug charges, authorities said.

Police Chief Dana Coleman said the pair was arrested around 5 p.m. in the 5400 block of La. Highway 311 after police received a tip they were selling drugs.

Police found various types of prescription pills – oxycodone, Meloxicam, Suboxone, Xanax and Carisoprodol – in their possession, Coleman said.

Medice was arrested for possession/sale/distribution of a Legend drug and possession of Schedule II (oxycodone) and Schedule III (Suboxone). Christine Medice was charged with possession with intent to distribute Schedule IV (Xanax and Carisoprodol) and possession of a Legend Drug and Schedule II (oxycodone). She also had several outstanding warrants for her arrest through the 32nd Judicial District Court.

Christina Medice was booked at the jail, but was released because of a medical condition, Coleman said. Police will be obtaining warrants for her arrest in connection with the drug charges.

Anyone with information on illegal drug trade in Houma is asked to call Crime Stoppers Bayou Region at 1-800-743-7433 or text “GIVEATIP” plus your message to 274637.

Castagnetta

Guilbeau

H. Medice

C. Medice