Morgan City man captured for August foot chase

A 25-year-old Morgan City man, wanted by Morgan City police for an Aug. 7 incident that put J.B. Maitland Elementary School on lockdown after the man fled from officers, was arrested Friday by Berwick police.
Broderick Junifer, 25, of Federal Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 4:14 p.m. Friday by Berwick police for resisting an officer by giving false information, two counts of resisting an officer with force or violence, battery of a police officer, possession of synthetic cannabinoids second offense, on Morgan City police warrants for reckless operation, possession of Schedule II MDMA and aggravated flight from an officer. Junifer was taken to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center in Centerville.
Berwick officers were handling another complaint, and spotted Junifer in the area of Fourth and Oregon streets, Berwick Police Chief James Richard said. Junifer struck one of the officers in the face while trying to get away from officers, Richard said. The officer did not have any “lasting injuries” or “obvious signs” of being struck in the face, Richard said.
The Morgan City police warrants stem from an Aug. 7 incident where a patrolling officer attempted to stop a vehicle after a traffic violation was observed, according to a Morgan City police news release in August. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the unidentified driver refused, subsequently leading police on a chase, the release stated.
The driver ultimately stopped and abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot into the area near Garber Street toward J.B. Maitland Elementary School. As a precaution, the school was temporarily placed on a lockdown status as officers secured and searched the area, the release said.
The suspect was not located yet officers were able to recover evidence and positively identify the suspect as Junifer, according to the news release. Investigators also recovered illegal narcotics from the vehicle, the release stated.