CRIMES

Lafourche urges safe driving this Christmas season

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is reminding citizens of the hazards of intoxicated driving this holiday week after a busy weekend for deputies patrolling the road.

Webre said his office made four arrests this weekend for DWI – incidents that occurred throughout different parts of the parish.

The first incident occurred around 2:15 a.m. on Friday, as deputies initiated a stop for an illegal U-turn in Lockport.

Authorities said the driver was identified as Jose Rodriguez, 56, of Raceland, and he didn’t have a driver’s license in his possession at the time of the stop.

Rodriguez allegedly admitted to having several alcoholic beverages at a local bar, before submitting to a field sobriety test, on which he performed poorly.

He then submitted to a breath test, blowing a .171 percent, which is well above the legal limit.

Rodriguez was taken into custody. Upon arrest, authorities learned that he had two prior convictions on DWI-related offenses.

He’s charged with third-offense DWI, improper lane usage and no driver’s license.

He is jailed at the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in lieu of a $50,200 bond. He’s also being held be U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The next incident took place just after midnight on Saturday morning during a traffic stop for speeding on La. Highway 182 in Raceland.

Authorities identified the driver of the vehicle as Michael Allen, 22, of Thibodaux. Allen initially ignored deputies’ lights and sirens and continued along La. Highway 182, before turning on La. Highway 1, before stopping at an apartment complex on Plantation Road, where he allegedly fled on foot.

Deputies pursued Allen and took him into custody, despite what is described as “violent resistance”.

A search of the vehicle netted suspected marijuana and oxycodone inside, which also led to the arrest of the vehicle’s passenger, Jekeisha Westley, 20, of Thibodaux.

She is charged with possession of marijuana and oxycodone, and is held on $2,600 bond.

Authorities then conducted a field sobriety test on Allen, on which he performed poorly.

He then blew a 0.000 percent on a breath test, showing no alcohol was in his system at the time of arrest.

Because of the suspicion of narcotics use, Allen also consented to a urine test.

He is charged with DWI (first offense), aggravated flight from an officer, resisting arrest with force or violence, speeding and possession of marijuana and oxycodone.

He is held on a $71,100 bond.

Later that night, authorities netted two more DWI arrests – both in the north ern portion of the parish.

At around 8:25 p.m., deputies were conducting a DWI checkpoint on Canal Boulevard in Thibodaux, when Gail Jackson, 45, of Thibodaux, pulled into the line with an alcoholic beverage inside the vehicle.

During questioning, the suspect allegedly admitted to consuming other alcoholic beverages prior to that one.

She submitted to a breath test and blew a .269 percent, which is above the legal limit.

She was given a criminal summons for DWI (first offense) and possession of an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle.

Later that night, authorities responded to the U.S. Highway 90 on-ramp just off La. Highway 182 in Raceland in reference to a vehicle parked in the middle of the road.

Deputies identified the driver as Jonathan Abarca, 33, of Washington. He was asleep behind the wheel, according to authorities.

Abarca submitted to a field sobriety test, on which he performed poorly. He then consented to a breath test and blew 0.093 percent, which is above the legal limit.

He was arrested and taken to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center on charged of DWI (first offense) and obstructing public passages. He was released after posting a $500 bond.

Sheriff’s Office.

Tips which lead to an arrest could make one eligible for a $1,000 fine.

To offer information, call 1-800-743-7433. Tipsters can remain nameless if they choose to do so.

Seat belt checkpoints to be held Wednesday and Thursday

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced on Monday morning that his office will hold seat belt checkpoints on two-straight days this week.

The first checkpoint will be held today (Dec. 21), and it will be conducted during sunlight hours at an undisclosed location in Lafourche.

Webre said 24 hours later, officers will hold another checkpoint during night hours on Thursday.

Authorities will be looking for seat belt violations during the search.

They will also be looking closely for safety seat violations, as well as proper inspection tags and insurance violations.

Webre said the checkpoints are designed to raise awareness for driving hazards and to make Lafourche’s roads as safe as possible.