Telethon caps trying week

Irma Vedros
August 9, 2016
Saints look to avenge 2-straight losing seasons
August 10, 2016
Irma Vedros
August 9, 2016
Saints look to avenge 2-straight losing seasons
August 10, 2016

A Houma-based organization that helps adults and children with cerebral palsy had a successful fundraising weekend, organizers said.

But the thefts last week of donation cans from local convenience stores still stings, they said.


Kathy Arceneaux, director of Cerebral Palsy of Louisiana, said this weekend’s telethon raised $70,000.

“We did well,” Arceneaux said. “And it was a little more than other years.”

A Thibodaux man was arrested last Wednesday in connection with the theft of countertop donation cans. But Arceneaux said such thefts are more common than people might realize, and that the cans themselves cost around $50 apiece to repace.


(See surveillance video of the incident by visiting www.houmatimes.com)

Walter Richard was booked into the Terrebonne Parish jail on four counts of theft under $750. He also had warrants for failure to appear in court for prior theft cases and as of Wednesday afternoon no bonds for his charges had been set.

Video of a man later identified as Richard were circulated on Facebook by Tracy LeBlanc, the manager at BJ’s Country Corner convenience store on Bayou Blue Road, and drew outraged comments.


“It happened on July 25th but we didn’t realize it wasn’t there until our other donation jar fell and broke Sunday,” LeBlanc said. “So we looked on the camera and came across what really happened. So I called the Sheriff’s Office after I had the footage and made a report.”

Maj. Malcolm Wolfe, Chief of Detectives for the Terrebonne Sheriff’s Office, said the video directly led to Richard’s apprehension.

“Yesterday we got calls from people identifying who it was on the video after it was placed on social media,” Wolfe said.


The money Richard is accused of stealing, placed in the donation can by shoppers willing to donate change from their purposes, was destined to be used for direct assistance to adults and children with cerebral palsy in the form of medical supplies such as wheelchairs and braces along with other expenses. The organization serves about 700 people.

“We don’t get any state or government assistance,” Arceneaux said. “The canister program is statewide, and we have had it for years. It brings us in a good bit of revenue for individuals. We will pay for whatever their other programs would not cover. We are sort of the last resort.”

In addition to the theft from B. J.’s, Richard is accused of similar thefts at Southland Shell on West Park Avenue, Smoke Plus on West Main and Express Convenience on Bayou Gardens Boulevard.


Warrants were outstanding for failure to appear in court in connection with theft complaints at Rouses on East Park Avenue and Best Buy on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Sheriff Jerry Larpenter asked that anyone who has experienced similar thefts call 876-2500.

A woman who lives at Richard’s home on Juniper Lane was asked if there was any explanation for his actions, in light of the nature of the thefts.


She said she did not wish to comment other than to say that if people are going to be judgmental they will do so no matter what she might say.

Asked how she might wish Richard’s case to be handled by the authorities once he goes to court, Arceneaux said that perhaps a day spent with one of the families her organization serves would be appropriate, in addition to restitution.

Cerebral palsy is a condition that affects to varying degrees the body’s ability to move, usually due to damage to a developing brain during gestation or shortly after birth.


More information on the organization can be found at www.cerebralpalsyla.com.

A similar telethon will take place in the south Lafourche community later this month.

It, too, is expected to raise several thousands of dollars to help those who suffer from cerebral palsy.


Walter Richard was arrested and booked into the Terrebonne Parish jail on four counts of theft under $750 after video surveillance showed him allegedly taking a donations jar designed to raise money for people suffering from cerebral palsy. To watch video of the alleged incident, visit houmatimes.com.

COURTESY