Sheriff: Man beat woman in front of child

A 36-year-old Amelia man was booked into jail Sunday after beating a woman, who suffered swelling to her face and numerous scratches to her chest, in the presence of a child, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.
—Marvin Machado, 36, of Chirpy’s Lane in Amelia, was arrested at 5:24 a.m. Sunday on the charge of domestic abuse battery-child endangerment.
A deputy responded to a report of domestic abuse at a home in Amelia. During the investigation, the deputy identified Machado as the suspect in the crime and located him at his home. The deputy collected evidence that Machado struck a woman in the face, pulled her hair, and pushed her while yelling at her.
The victim suffered swelling in her face and numerous scratches to her chest. A juvenile was present at the home during the battery. Machado was jailed and released after posting $3,500 bail.
Hebert reported responding to 169 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:
—Brock J. Broussard, 28, of First Street in Patterson, was arrested Thursday at 10:22 a.m. on a warrant from Patterson Police on the charges of second-degree aggravated battery and aggravated criminal damage to property.
A deputy was dispatched to a business on U.S. 90 in the Patterson area to assist Patterson Police in locating Broussard who was wanted on the warrant. Broussard was taken into custody and transported to the parish jail for booking. Bail is set at $250,000.
—Wynn Whitehurst, 41, of Jupiter Street in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 1:28 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for attempted theft of a motor vehicle, criminal damage to property and theft.
A deputy investigating an attempted theft of a vehicle from a business on U.S. 90 in Bayou Vista identified Whitehurst as a suspect in the crime. The deputy collected evidence that Whitehurst shattered the window of the truck, damaged the steering column and stole a jack from the bed of the vehicle.
During the investigation, the deputy also found evidence that Whitehurst also stole a license plate from a vehicle that was parked in Morgan City. The deputy obtained a warrant for Whitehurst’s arrest. A correctional officer booked Whitehurst who was being housed in Berwick on other charges. No bail is set.
—Latifha Friels, 23, of Fifth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:12 p.m. Thursday for failure to signal 100 feet prior to an intersection, no driver’s license, and no motor vehicle insurance.
A deputy observed a vehicle fail to signal a turn at the intersection of Polaris and Middle roads in Bayou Vista and conducted a traffic stop. While speaking with the driver, Friels, the deputy found that she did not have a driver’s license or insurance on the vehicle. Friels was released on a summons to appear in court March 8.
—Cole Fruge, 25, of Saturn Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 12:44 a.m. Friday on the charges of theft of goods and vagrancy.
A deputy responded to a complaint of shoplifting at a store in Bayou Vista. The deputy learned from store personnel that Fruge took a drink and candy bar and ate them in the store without paying for the items.
While speaking with Fruge, the deputy observed a cut on his face. Acadian Ambulance was contacted. Fruge refused medical attention. The deputy also gave Fruge several opportunities to pay for the stolen items. Fruge refused. The deputy learned that Fruge habitually loafs the streets of Bayou Vista and had been asked to leave the business on several prior occasions. Fruge was jailed with bail set at $1,750.
—Jenny Landry, 59, of Teche Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 9:24 p.m. Friday on the charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
A deputy was dispatched to a single vehicle crash that occurred in the parking lot of a gas station on U.S. 90 in the Patterson area. The deputy made contact with the driver of the vehicle, identified as Landry, and learned that she struck a gas pump, causing damage to it.
While speaking with Landry, the deputy smelled the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on her breath and observed her swaying from side to side. The deputy conducted a field sobriety test. Landry performed poorly. Following the investigation, she was booked into parish jail and released on $2,500 bail.
—James C. Dinicola, 25, of Field Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 9:15 a.m. Saturday on the charge of driving under suspension.
A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista observed a vehicle fail to come to a complete stop at a stop sign on Southeast Boulevard and conducted a traffic stop. The deputy spoke with the driver, Dinicola, and found that his license was listed as suspended. Dinicola was released on a summons to appear in court March 8.
—Cherie Hendricks, 45, of W. Belmont Avenue in Chicago, was arrested at 12:59 p.m. Saturday on the charge of theft of goods. A deputy responded to a complaint of shoplifting at a store in Bayou Vista. The deputy spoke with store security and learned that Hendricks was seen placing reading glasses into a book sack she was carrying. Hendricks was released on a summons to appear in court March 8.
—Joseph J. Julien, 50, of Arizona Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 5:50 p.m. Saturday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family.
A deputy responded to a request from Berwick police to assist a motorist on U.S. 90 in Berwick. The deputy spoke with several subjects in the vehicle, including Julien, and located an active warrant for his arrest.
The deputy provided water for Julien to put in the vehicle. However, Julien was unable to get the vehicle to start. The deputy assisted Julien in pushing the vehicle to a safe location. Another deputy transported the remaining occupants of the vehicle to their home. Julien was jailed with bail set at $9,292.46.
—Jose M. Biban, 29, of Lenny’s Lane in Amelia, was arrested at 9:25 p.m. Sunday on the charge of domestic abuse battery.
A deputy responded to a request to remove a person from a home in Amelia. The deputy spoke with the people involved and learned that a domestic disturbance had taken place at the home. The deputy found evidence that Biban grabbed a woman and struck her in the face. Biban was jailed and released after posting $2,500 bail.
—Ronnie J. Chaisson, 55, of Lake Palourde Road in Amelia, was arrested at 11:28 a.m. Monday on a City Court of Denham Springs warrant charging him with felony theft.
A detective of the criminal investigation section assisted Denham Springs police with an investigation into a theft. The detective recovered over $2,000 in property that was reported stolen including a generator, tools and antiques from Chaisson’s home in Amelia. Chaisson turned himself in to a deputy in Amelia. Chaisson was jailed with no bail set.
—Pedro Vazquez-Garcia, 36, of Easy Street in Patterson, was arrested at 5:10 a.m. Tuesday on the charge of driving under suspension.
A deputy conducted a traffic stop on Duhon Bypass Road in Amelia after observing a vehicle without an illuminated license plate light. While speaking with the driver, Vazquez-Garcia, the deputy found that he was operating the SUV with a suspended driver’s license. Vazquez-Garcia was released on a summons to appear in court March 8.
Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported the following arrests:
—Calvin Singleton, 34, of Morgan City, was arrested at 11:52 a.m. Friday on the charges of resisting an officer, possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, possession of a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance law-drug free zone, obstruction of justice-tampering with evidence and misrepresentation during booking.
On Friday, officers conducted a traffic stop where officers spoke with Singleton, who identified himself as someone else. While speaking with Singleton, officers observed him to be very nervous to the point of not being able to retrieve ID from his wallet.
Officers noticed that Singleton attempted to throw something and was found to be chewing what officers believed to be suspected marijuana. As officers attempted to stop Singleton from chewing the suspected marijuana, Singleton began to resist. Officers were able to gain control of him and place him under arrest.
After a search of the vehicle, officers located suspected methamphetamine. Singleton was then transported to the police department for booking. Once at the police department, officers learned Singleton’s true identity as he continued to tell officers he was someone else.
—Jerry Boyer, 72, of Morgan City, was arrested at 3:34 p.m. Friday on the charge of disturbing the peace intoxicated.
Officers were called to the area of Fifth Street and Brashear Avenue due to a person stumbling in the roadway. Officers located and identified the person as Boyer. Boyer was found to be intoxicated and could hardly stand without assistance. Boyer was jailed.
—Megan Gaudet, 25, of Parro Lane in Berwick, was arrested at 5:54 p.m. Friday on a 16th Judicial District Court warrant for failure to appear on the charge of simple battery and warrants charging her with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and no driver’s license.
Gaudet was transported from the Assumption Parish Jail to the Morgan City Police Department and booked into jail.
—Carley Griffin, 32, of Beau Lane in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:09 p.m. Friday on the charges of three counts of threatening a public official, DWI first offense and speeding.
On Friday, a patrolling officer observed a vehicle that he believed to be speeding. The officer then activated his radar unit and found the vehicle to be traveling 57 mph in a 45 mph zone. The officer stopped the vehicle near La. 182 and Roderick Street.
Upon coming into contact with the driver, identified as Griffin, the officer suspected Griffin may be intoxicated and conducted a field sobriety test, which Griffin failed. Griffin was arrested and transported to the Morgan City Police Department. At the department, Griffin allegedly threatened officers during a chemical test for intoxication.
—Joseph Engleton, 52, of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 4:38 p.m. Sunday on the charge of second-degree battery.
On Sunday, officers responded to a disturbance in the area of Terrebonne Street. Upon arrival, officers located the victim who had a cut to her head. While speaking with the victim, officers learned that she was struck in the head by Engleton.
After striking her, Engleton left on a bike. Officers located Engleton a short time later and spoke with him. Engleton admitted that he hit the victim with a closed fist, Blair said. Engleton was jailed.
—Christopher Waguespack, 40, of La. 182 in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:38 p.m. Monday on the charge of disturbing the peace by offensive language.
Officers were called to remove a person from a business on Marguerite Street. During the investigation, officers removed Waguespack from the business and brought him to an La. 182 apartment. Once at the apartment, Waguespack began to use profanity while outside the apartment. Waguespack was told several times not to use profanity, Blair said.
Waguespack continued to use profanity outside the apartment while children were outside. Waguespack was jailed.
—Christopher Fryar, 33, of Sixth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:19 a.m. Tuesday on a 16th Judicial District Court warrant for three counts of failure to appear.
Officers patrolling the area of La. 182 and Seventh Street stopped a vehicle after a minor traffic violation. Fryar, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was found to be wanted for failure to appear in drug court. Fryar was jailed.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrests:
—Jerry Percle, 49, of Canton Street in Berwick, was arrested at 7:02 p.m. Thursday on a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant charging him with attempted auto theft, theft, driving under suspension, switched license plate, no insurance, no registration and expired inspection sticker and a Terrebonne Parish warrant charging him with felony theft.
—Timothy Tindell, 43, of Sixth Street in Berwick, was arrested at 5:47 p.m. Sunday on the charge of domestic abuse battery. Tindell was awaiting bail to be set.