Sheriff: Hidden cocaine results in drug charge

A 24-year-old Amelia man was arrested Thursday in Amelia after narcotics detectives searched his car on Friendship Alley and found crack cocaine in the gas cap, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.
—Quinton Jones, 24, of the 100 block of Friendship Alley in Amelia, was arrested at 2:16 p.m. Thursday on the charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, resisting an officer by force, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a juvenile, and violation of a controlled dangerous substance law (drug-free zone).
Detectives with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division patrolling Amelia observed a vehicle parked in the middle of the roadway of Friendship Alley with no license plate and loud music playing. Detectives observed several subjects gathered at a residence where the vehicle was parked.
Detectives observed one of the subjects, recognized as Jones, run to the driver’s side of the car. Detectives then made contact with Jones and a 13-year-old juvenile who was inside the vehicle.
While speaking with Jones, detectives received consent to search the car and located a pill bottle containing 20 rocks of crack cocaine in the gas cap on the driver’s side where Jones was seen running to. The investigation occurred within 2,000 feet of a church.
When detectives moved to detain Jones, he pushed a detective and fled on foot. After a short foot pursuit, detectives apprehended Jones.
Following his arrest, Jones complained of being in pain and was subsequently transported to a local hospital. After being evaluated by medical personnel, Jones was released from the hospital and transported to the parish jail for booking. No bail is set.
Hebert reported responding to 45 complaints and reported the following arrests relating to east St. Mary Parish:
—Mia Blair, 18, of the 300 block of South Bay Road in Pierre Part, was arrested at 10:10 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant for failure to appear for a drug court status conference. Blair turned herself in on the warrant at the Berwick Police Department. A deputy transported her to the parish jail for booking. Bail is set at $100,000.
—Nikolay Zozulya, 57, of the 1300 block of Shillington Drive in Katy, Texas, was arrested at 11:21 p.m. Wednesday on the charge of reckless operation of a vehicle. A deputy responded to a vehicle crash on U.S. 90 in Ricohoc and made contact with the driver of the vehicle, identified as Zozulya.
During the investigation, the deputy learned that Zozulya fell asleep at the wheel of the pick-up truck and ran off the roadway into the median. Zozulya was booked and later released on a summons to appear in court Jan. 13.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrest:
—Kimberly Evans, 23, of the 2200 block of River Road in Berwick, was arrested at 9:52 a.m. Thursday on the charges of reckless operation of a vehicle, driving under suspended license, no insurance, and expired motor vehicle inspection sticker. Evans is still in jail. Bail is set at $2,000.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrests:
—Darius Grogan, 21, of the 200 block of Hurst Street in Patterson, was arrested at 4:39 p.m. Wednesday on the charges of simple battery involving domestic violence and simple criminal damage to property. Grogan was jailed with no bail set.
—Joseph Jessie, 36, of the 100 block of Bernard Street in Patterson, was arrested at 5:48 p.m. Wednesday on the charges of resisting an officer for failure to comply, resisting an officer by flight, and theft less than $500. No bail is set.
—Patrick Augman, 41, of the 1300 block of Ninth Street in Patterson, was arrested at 1:43 a.m. today on a warrant charging him with theft by shoplifting. Augman was jailed on $1,000 bail.
Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported the following arrests:
—Roslyn Daigle, 50, of Second Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:19 a.m. Thursday on the charge of disturbing the peace intoxicated. Officers were dispatched to a residence on Second Street in regard to a disturbance.
When officers arrived, they observed Daigle in the front of her residence yelling profanities. Officers made contact with Daigle, who appeared intoxicated.
Daigle was asked several times to lower her voice and calm down, but she refused. Daigle was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and was jailed.
—Ernest W. Dupont, 18, of Lafayette, was arrested at 9:15 a.m. Thursday on the charge of theft by shoplifting. Officers were dispatched to a local business on Victor II Boulevard in regard to a shoplifter.
Officers arrived and were told by management that Dupont had tried leaving the store and the theft alarm alerted employees. According to reports, Dupont was detained by store employees and items were found in Dupont’s possession that he did not purchase.
Items taken totaled $14.07. Dupont was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and jailed.
—Marc A. Viola, 24, of Barrow Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:16 a.m. Thursday on the charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and careless operation. Officers responded to a vehicle crash in the area of Fourth Street and Brashear Avenue.
When officers arrived, they observed a vehicle upside down with the driver still inside. Morgan City Fire Department and an ambulance service were contacted. The driver, Viola, was extricated from the vehicle and transported to a local hospital by ambulance.
Officers were able to determine that Viola’s vehicle side-swiped a stop sign then struck a guide line, causing the vehicle to flip. Officers spoke to Viola at the hospital and, according to reports, Viola showed signs of impairment.
Viola was asked to submit to a test for intoxication, which he refused. Once released from the hospital, Viola was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and was jailed.
—Fabiola Quintanilla, 24, of Morgan City, was arrested at 10:15 a.m. Thursday on a warrant for unauthorized use of an access card (three counts) value $46.54 and on a warrant for failure to appear (four counts).
Quintanilla turned herself in to the Morgan City Police Department for active warrants she held for the Sixth Ward City Court and the Morgan City Police Department. Quintanilla was booked and jailed.
—Nigel L. Singleton, 22, of Marshall Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:15 p.m. Thursday on the charge of simple battery. Officers were dispatched to a residence on Seventh Street in regard to a disturbance.
Officers arrived and observed a male subject, identified as Singleton, chasing a female. Singleton was detained by officers.
According to reports, officers spoke to the female, who stated that she and Singleton were having a verbal altercation, which led to him striking her several times. Witnesses in the area also stated that they observed Singleton strike the female.
Singleton was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and was jailed.

This story was written by Shea Drake of The Daily Review staff. Reach her at sdrake@daily-review.com.