CRIMES

HPD to hold DWI checkpoint

Houma Police will conduct a DWI checkpoint Thursday within the Houma city limits.

Houma Police Chief Dana Coleman said the checkpoint is funded through grant monies from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.

To report impaired drivers, motorists are asked to call Houma Police at 985-873-6371.

Man pulls knife on cop

Joshua Grandbois, 32, was arrested Saturday after allegedly pulling a knife on an officer, according to Houma Police Chief Dana Coleman.

Grandbois was stopped near Payne Street after an officer spotted him acting very suspiciously, Coleman said. As the officer attempted to pat Grandbois down for his own safety, the man pulled a knife from his pocket and began to struggle with the officer, the chief said. Grandbois was eventually restrained. The officer found a small baggie of methamphetamine in his possession.

Grandois was charged with resisting with force or violence and possession of methamphetamine.

Man charged with lewd behavior

Jamie Verdin, 34, of 121 Norwich Lane in Houma, was charged with indecent behavior with a juvenile after the parents of an 11-year-old learned he had allegedly touched the girl in an inappropriate manner, Sheriff Jerry Larpenter said.

Verdin stayed at the home Thursday, the sheriff said. The next day, authorities were notified that Verdin had a sexual conversation before allegedly abusing the girl after he consumed several alcoholic beverages, Larpenter said.

Verdin’s bond was set at $75,000. He is a registered sex offender for forcible rape of a minor child, authorities said.

Houma man arrested on rape charge

A 41-year-old Houma man was arrested last week in connection with sexually abusing a girl when she was 10 years old, authorities said.

Houma Police Chief Dana Coleman said authorities charged Derek Jones, of Stadium Drive in Houma, with aggravated rape after learning he had allegedly forced a 10-year-old family member to perform oral sex on him. According to Coleman, the abuse continued for almost three years. Police said the alleged encounters between Jones and the girl occurred at a home in East Houma, as well as other locations.

Home burglary suspects arrested

Sheriff Jerry Larpenter said a Royce Street couple reported several items missing from their home while they were away for the day – electronics, tools, personal items and firearms. Simultaneously, detectives were investigating the camp burglaries, where electronics were taken.

An investigation into the burglaries led detectives to 209 Lake Crescent Circle in west Houma, Larpenter said. During a search warrant search, items connected to the Royce Street burglary, a Lafourche camp burglary and a house on Pellegrin Street in Chauvin were found.

Detectives arrested Thomas Smith, 52, and Annette Creppel, 44, the sheriff said. Creppel was charged with two counts of illegal possession of stolen things. Larpenter said Creppel did not participate in the burglaries, but knew Smith and his associates had stored the stolen goods at the residence.

The sheriff said Polly Robertson, the ex-wife of the Royce Street victim, and her brother, Scott Vizier, were arrested. Robertson was arrested at her Idlewild Drive home and charged with principle to simple burglary. She is currently on federal probation for various illegal drug charges.

Detectives found Vizier, 48, of Lafourche, at a Houma hotel. Larpenter said Vizier was a main suspect in the Royce Street burglary. He was charged with simple burglary. Additional charges will likely be filed concerning the camp burglaries as the investigation continues, the sheriff said.

Detectives are still searching for Gary Kiger, 45, of Lafourche and Tiffany Shows, 33, in connection with the crimes.

Grandbois

Verdin

Jones