Morgan City man flees from officers, arrested on drug charges

 

By ZACHARY FITZGERALD

A 39-year-old Morgan City man was arrested Saturday on drug charges after he refused to stop his vehicle after officers tried to pull him over, Morgan City Police Chief Travis Crouch said in a news release.

—Cary Breaux, 39, of Union Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:32 p.m. Saturday for improper lane usage, switched license plate, resisting an officer by flight, driving under suspension, no registration, no inspection sticker, careless operation, possession of cocaine, and possession of a Schedule 4 drug (Alprazolam).

Police received a call of a possible impaired driver in the area of Brashear Avenue and Seventh Street. Upon arrival, officers observed a white suburban stopped in the middle of the roadway. The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop at which time vehicle began to leave the area and struck a curb but continued on, Crouch said.

Officers continued following the vehicle with emergency lights and sirens activated. Breaux refused to stop until he reached the area of Railroad Avenue, Crouch said. Breaux was removed from the vehicle and placed under arrest.  

While searching Breaux, officers located a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine and several pills of suspected Alprazolam, Crouch said. All items were seized, and Breaux was taken to the Morgan City Police Department where he remains in jail with no bail set.

Crouch reported the following arrests:

—Oliver Collins Jr., 54, of Federal Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:04 p.m. Friday on warrants for failure to appear to pay probation fees, failure to appear to pay a fine, and failure to appear to pay fines and cost, and a warrant for a probation violation.

While on patrol, officers came into contact with Collins. Upon checking warrants it was found that Collins was wanted by Morgan City Police on warrants. Collins was taken to the Morgan City Police Department where he remains in jail.

—Jayme L. Ryan, 52, of Headland Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:30 p.m. Friday on a warrant for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. No other information was available.

—Michael Ortis, 33, of Cedar Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7 p.m. Friday on a warrant for contempt of court.

Ortis came and turned himself in to serve time for City Court at which time it was found that he was a wanted person. Ortis was taken to jail where he remains. 

—Joshua Pojar, 31, of Federal Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:54 p.m. Friday on a warrant for failure to appear for IWC and failure to appear for speeding.

An officer patrolling the area of Federal Avenue conducted a traffic stop at which time the officer came into contact with Pojar. Pojar was found to be a wanted person with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office along with the Houma Police Department. He was taken to the Morgan City Police Department where he was held awaiting transport to St. Mary Law Enforcement.

—Carol Bowie, 51, of Dinkins Street in Jeanerette, was arrested at 10:21 a.m. Friday on a warrant for failure to appear for theft.

Bowie was taken to Morgan City Police Department to be housed for the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office when it was found that Bowie was a wanted person with the Morgan City Police Department. Bowie remains in jail.

—Marcus Velazquez, 40, of Terrebonne Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:37 a.m. Saturday for careless operation, driving under suspension, and operating a motor vehicle with no insurance.

Officers patrolling the area of La. 182 observed a vehicle in the turning lane that was attempting to make a left hand turn into a convenience store when the vehicle turned into the officers’ lane of travel causing the officer to take evasive action. A traffic stop was conducted at which time the officer came into contact with Velazquez. It was found that Velazquez was driving under suspension and that he did not have any insurance. Velazquez was taken to the Morgan City Police Department where he remains. 

—Rand Metrejean, 48, of Sede Park in Amelia, was arrested at 3:06 p.m. Sunday for a probation violation.

Metrejean was arrested by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office on an outstanding warrant. Metrejean was taken to jail where he remains.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported responding to 109 complaints in the parish during a 72-hour period and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—Jessica D. Brown, 21, of the 600 block of Teche Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 12:11 p.m. Thursday for possession of Schedule I (synthetic cannabinoids). A deputy responded to a complaint of a disturbance at a residence on Teche Road and made contact with Brown. While speaking with Brown, the deputy observed her attempting to conceal a small bag in her hand. The bag contained synthetic marijuana, Hebert stated. Brown was released on a summons to appear in court Jan. 10.

—Warren Butler III, 45, of the 300 block of Taft Street in Patterson, was arrested at 2:11 p.m. Friday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of speeding and driving under suspension. Butler was transported from the St. Martin Parish jail for the St. Mary Parish jail and held. No bail is set.

—Michelle A. Branson, 29, of the 5400 block of Bayou Black Drive in Gibson, was arrested at 4:57 p.m. Friday for theft of goods.

—Jennifer M. Carlos, 32, of the 100 block of Bon Jovi Lane in Gray, was arrested at 4:57 p.m. Friday for theft of goods.

—Mona Collins, 51, of the 100 block of B. Senator’s Circle in Gray, was arrested at 4:57 p.m. Friday for theft of goods.

A deputy patrolling the Bayou Vista area witnessed a disturbance in a store parking lot. As the deputy approached, three subjects involved in the disturbance attempted to get into a vehicle and leave. The deputy stopped the vehicle and detained the three people identified as Branson, Carlos, and Collins. During the investigation, the deputy learned from store personnel that Branson, Carlos, and Collins were observed placing items in their purses and leaving the store without paying for the goods. Store employees were attempting to stop the three when the deputy intervened. Branson, Carlos and Collins were released on summonses to appear in court on Jan. 10.

—Cline Richoux Jr., 57, of the 100 block of St. Louis Street in Raceland, was arrested at 6:50 p.m. Saturday for criminal mischief. A deputy responded to a complaint at a casino in Amelia. Upon arrival, the deputy learned from casino personnel that Richoux could be seen on video surveillance purposefully activating a fire alarm. Richoux was released on a summons to appear in court on Jan. 10.

—Margaret Madrigal, 44, of the 200 block of Penn Street in El Segundo, Calif., was arrested at 10:20 a.m. Friday for disturbing the peace. Deputies responded to a disturbance at a motel in Bayou Vista. During the investigation, the deputies learned that Madrigal continually used profanities in the lobby of the motel. Madrigal was taken to the parish jail and held. Bail is set at $250.

—Wade Rhodes, 51, of the 3800 block of Mount Street in Berwick, was arrested at 5 p.m. Saturday on warrants for failure to appear on the charges of driving while intoxicated, angling without a license, and violation of recreational gear license required. A deputy responded to a report of a suspicious person on Southwest Road in Bayou Vista. The deputy made contact with a subject identified as Rhodes and learned of the warrants for his arrest. Rhodes was taken to the parish jail and held. No bail is set.

—Markila Ruffin, 20, of the 300 block of Easy Street in Franklin, was arrested at 8:23 p.m. Saturday for theft.

—Leshonta Lumpkin, 21, of the 100 block of Isabella Street in Franklin, was arrested at 8:23 p.m. Saturday for theft. 

A deputy responded to a complaint of shoplifting at a store in Bayou Vista. Upon arrival, the deputy learned from store personnel that Ruffin and Lumpkin were seen leaving the store without paying for items. Ruffin and Lumpkin were released on summonses to appear in court on Jan. 10.

—Jeffery McCormick, of the 8500 block of Brunet Road in Austin, Texas, was arrested at 1:24 a.m. Sunday for disturbing the peace intoxicated. A deputy responded to a disturbance on Degravelle Road in Amelia. Upon arrival, the deputy learned that McCormick was involved in a verbal argument with another person. The deputy advised both subjects to settle in for the night. The two people stated they would comply. About five minutes after leaving the complaint, the deputy was contacted again regarding a second disturbance at the location. McCormick was taken to the parish jail and held. Bail is set at $500.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrests:

—Ciji T. Davis, 30, of the 3800 block of Francis Street in Berwick, was arrested at 2:49 p.m. Sunday for driving under suspension and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles. Davis was released on bail.

—Two juveniles, both 16, were arrested along with Davis. One was charged with prohibited acts Schedule 2 possession, and the other was charged with prohibited acts Schedule 2 distribution. They were released to their parents.

Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrests:

—David Charles Adams, 61, of the 100 block of Wedell Street in Patterson, was arrested at 10:45 a.m. Sunday for unauthorized entry, burglary, and resisting by giving false information. Adams is still being held with no bail set at this time.

—Shauna A. Priestly, 17, of the 100 block of Claire Drive in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:56 a.m. Sunday for unauthorized entry and burglary. Priestly is still being held with no bail set at this time.

—Latasha M. Woods, 22, of the 1200 block of Carmen Street in Patterson, was arrested at 12:09 p.m. Sunday for disturbing the peace fighting. Woods was released on her own recognizance.

—Catena Batiste, 31, of the 500 block of Williams Street in Patterson, was arrested at 12:13 p.m. Sunday for disturbing the peace fighting. Batiste was released on a paid $410 fine.

—Qwane Ann Woods, 23, of the 400 block of Taft Street in Patterson, was arrested at 12:09 p.m. Sunday for disturbing the peace by fighting. Woods was released on her own recognizance.

—Chenet Small, 23, of the 300 block of Easy Street in Franklin, was arrested Friday for criminal damages to property. Small paid a $1,000 fine and was released.