Woman accused of stealing gift from workplace

A 20-year-old Patterson woman was arrested Thursday, accused of stealing a gift card from her place of employment, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.

—Destiny M. Turner, 20, of the 300 block of Leo Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 5 p.m . Thursday on a charge of theft.

A deputy responded to a complaint of shoplifting at a store in Bayou Vista. Upon arrival, the deputy learned from store personnel that Turner, an employee, concealed a gift card in her pocket that was accidentally left at a register by a customer.

Following the investigation, Turner was transported to the parish jail for booking. Turner was released on a summons to appear in court March 30.

Hebert reported responding to 43 complaints and reported the following arrests:

—Phillip R. Broussard, 57, of the 400 block of Neptune Street in Bayou Vista, at 12:25 p.m. Thursday for disturbing the peace (fighting).

—Nathaniel Rankins, 66, of the 400 block of Neptune Street in Bayou Vista, at 12:21 p.m. Thursday for disturbing the peace (fighting).

A deputy responded to a report of a disturbance on Neptune Street. The deputy learned that Broussard and Rankins engaged in a physical altercation during an argument. Both subjects were transported to the parish jail for booking and later released on summons to appear in court March 30 .

Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported the following arrests:

—Lacey M. Menard, 22, of Victor II Boulevard in Morgan City, at 12:30 p.m. Thursday on charges for possession of marijuana and violation of uniformed controlled dangerous substance law.

—Jacob W Courville, 22, of Victor II Boulevard in Morgan City, at 12:30 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of marijuana and violation of uniformed controlled dangerous substance law.

An officer was patrolling the area of Myrtle Street near Victor II Boulevard when a vehicle was observed traveling in the middle of the roadway out of the lane of travel. A traffic stop was conducted with the driver identified as Menard and the passenger as Courville. A driver’s license check revealed that Menard did not have a valid driver’s license and that the vehicle did not have insurance. Menard was issued citations and a wrecker was called to tow the vehicle. A vehicle inventory was conducted prior to being towed when officers located suspected marijuana inside the vehicle.

Both Menard and Courville denied having any knowledge about the marijuana. The location of the incident was within the area of a local church in violation of the uniformed controlled dangerous substance law. Both Menard and Courville were placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department where they were booked and jailed .

—Mario Verdun, 39, of Patterson, at 1:53 p.m. Thursday on the charges of driving under suspension, failure to use turn signal, a warrant with St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office for failure to appear for driving under suspension and warrants with Morgan City Police for failure to appear for impeding flow of traffic, failure to appear for driving under suspension, and contempt of court.

An officer patrolling the area of Brashear Avenue near Federal Avenue observed a vehicle making an improper turn onto Brashear Avenue. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver identified as Verdun. A driver’s license check revealed that Verdun had a suspended license. A warrants check revealed that the Morgan City Police Department and the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office held arrest warrants for Verdun. Verdun was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department where he was booked and jailed .

Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrest:

Devonte D. Gabriel, 21, of the 1700 block of Harry D Street in Patterson, at 8:06 p.m. Thursday on a charge of simple battery. Gabriel was released on bail set at $409.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.