Sheriff: Amelia suspect captured in thorn bush

A 40-year-old Amelia man, who was a suspect in the theft of a computer from an Amelia business, was caught Sunday in a thorn bush after he fled from a sheriff’s deputy in a vehicle and then on foot, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.
—Chad Toups, 40, of Doris Street in Amelia, was arrested at 12:46 a.m. Sunday on the charges of hit and run driving, resisting an officer by flight, resisting an officer by force or violence, failure to signal a turn 100 feet prior to an intersection, criminal trespass, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling and on a warrant charging him with simple burglary.
A deputy investigating a report of a hit and run crash in Amelia received a description of the suspect and vehicle involved. Another deputy located the suspect, identified as Toups, driving on Lake Palourde Road and initiated a traffic stop, Hebert said.
Toups failed to pull over, continuing to drive to a residence on Friendship Alley. There, Toups exited the vehicle and fled on foot, the sheriff said. The deputy pursued the suspect but lost sight of Toups in a wooded area, Hebert said.
Continuing the search, the deputy developed information that the suspect was hiding in a trailer in a nearby area. A perimeter was established and Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office was contacted for assistance.
Terrebonne Parish provided two K-9 units to aid in the search. As the deputies and K-9s were about to start tracking the suspect, a deputy observed Toups exit the trailer and flee back into the wooded area. The deputies gave chase and apprehended Toups in a thorn bush, Hebert said.
The warrant for Toups’ arrest on the charge of simple burglary stems from an investigation into the theft of a computer from a business in Amelia earlier this month, Hebert said. Toups was positively identified as the suspect who stole the item from a boat, Hebert said. Toups was jailed with no bail set.
Hebert reported responding to 120 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:
—Terry Kennerson, 25, of the 1200 block of Canal Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 12:37 a.m. Saturday on the charge of disturbing the peace intoxicated. A deputy conducting a courtesy check/walk through at a bar on La. 182 in Bayou Vista and encountered a man shouting obscenities, Hebert said.
While speaking with Kennerson, the deputy smelled the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath and person. Kennerson continued to yell obscenities, causing a disturbance in the parking lot. Kennerson was jailed and released on $500 bail.
—Terry Ratcliff, 43, of the 800 block of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:59 p.m. Sunday on the charge of theft of goods more than $500. A deputy investigating a complaint of shoplifting at a store in Bayou Vista learned that Ratcliff attempted to leave the store with a shopping cart full of items that she did not pay for. The cart contained more than $600 in goods, Hebert said. Ratcliff was jailed.
—Edward Trimm Jr., 40, of the 1000 block of Ciro Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:38 p.m. Sunday on the charge of disturbing the peace fighting.
—Tierra Wilson, 29, of the 7400 block of La. 182 East in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:38 p.m. Sunday on the charge of disturbing the peace fighting.
A deputy responded to a complaint of a fight on Grace Street in Amelia. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with Trimm and Wilson and learned that the two were involved in an argument that escalated into a physical altercation, Hebert said. Trimm and Wilson were released on summonses to appear in court July 22.
—Ryan Boudreaux, 20, of the 200 block of Southeast Boulevard in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 5:29 p.m. Friday on the charge of possession of marijuana.
—James Thoune, 22, of the 600 block of Sebby’s Lane in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 5:29 p.m. Friday on the charges of distribution of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and transactions involving drug proceeds.
—Emma V. Padilla, 20, of the 200 block of South Broadway in Church Point, was arrested at 5:29 p.m. Friday on the charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of Legend Drug Minocin without a prescription and obstruction of justice.
Narcotics Division detectives traveling on Jupiter Street in Bayou Vista observed a drug deal taking place near the intersection of Belleview Street, Hebert said. Detectives made contact with the people involved in the hand-to-hand drug transaction and learned that Thoune, the driver of a vehicle, sold a bag of marijuana to Boudreaux, a pedestrian, the sheriff said.
Detectives located the bag of marijuana on Boudreaux and $681 in cash in Thoune’s lap and wallet, Hebert said. Detectives received consent to search the vehicle and located a marijuana pipe and grinder in the center console, the sheriff said. Detectives also located a Minocin pill in a can drink in the cup holder. Detectives learned that Padilla, a passenger in the vehicle, concealed the pill in the drink in an effort to hide it from them, Hebert said.
Two more bags of marijuana were also found concealed on her person. Boudreaux, Padilla and Thoune were transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center in Centerville. Boudreaux was released on a summons to appear in court on July 22. No bail is set for Thoune and Padilla.
—Melanie Rink, 41, of the 2600 block of Sixth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 5:19 p.m. Friday on the charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and on a warrant for unauthorized removal of a motor vehicle.
Narcotics detectives received information that Rink, who was wanted on the warrant, was at a location on Martin Lane in Amelia. There, detectives located Rink and the vehicle she failed to return to the victim, Hebert said. Inside the vehicle, detectives found a glass pipe believed to be used to smoke illegal drugs. Rink was jailed with bail set at $2000.
Morgan City Assistant Police Chief Mark Griffin Jr. reported the following arrests:
—Theresa Bland, 45, of Morgan City, was arrested at 11:20 a.m. Friday on the charge of simple battery.
Bland was already incarcerated in the Morgan City jail, when she was accused of striking another inmate during recreation time, Griffin said. Bland remains incarcerated.
—Dennis Joran, 27, of Seventh Street in Berwick, was arrested at 9:24 p.m. Friday on the charges of no driver’s license, improper lane usage and switched license plate.
An officer patrolling the area of Sixth Street near Gen. MacArthur Street noticed a vehicle cross into his lane, Griffin said. The officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and identified the driver as Joran. Joran was jailed and released after posting cash bail.
—Robert Narcisse, 52, of Grove Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:47 p.m. Friday on the charge of disturbing the peace intoxicated.
A patrolling officer in the area of Brashear Avenue and Fourth Street noticed a person walking in the roadway. The officers contacted the person, identified as Narcisse, and found him to be intoxicated. Narcisse was jailed.
—Christopher Polk, 26, of Willow Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:35 p.m. Friday on the charges of driving under suspension and improper lane usage.
An officer patrolling the area of Duke Street near Florida Street noticed a vehicle travel the wrong way on Florida Street, which is a one way street. The officer stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as Polk.
He was jailed and released after posting cash bail.
—Wendy Rhodes, 37, of Slidell, was arrested at 6:54 a.m. today on the charge of disturbing the peace intoxicated.
Officer’s responded to a complaint in the Shannon Homes area about a woman sleeping on a porch. Officers located Rhodes and found her to be intoxicated.
Upon speaking with Rhodes, she believed she was at rehab, Griffin said.
Officers determined that Rhodes had checked herself out of a treatment center and walked to the area, Griffin said. Rhodes was jailed.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrests:
—Saul Orlando, 38, of the 1300 block of Laban Avenue in Houma, was arrested at 5:15 p.m. Saturday on the charges of speeding 79 mph in a 55 mph zone and driving with no driver’s license.
Orlando was released on a $468 paid fine.
—Xavier Butler, 23, of the 200 block of Mary Ann Avenue in Houma, was arrested at 7:42 p.m. Saturday on the charges of speeding 71 mph in a 55 mph zone and driving with suspended driver’s license.
Butler was released on $558 in paid fines.
—Trent Madise Jr., 32, of the 3100 block of Roselawn Drive in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:21 a.m. Sunday on the charge of simple battery-domestic. Madise was jailed with no bail set yet. Madise is on a hold for probation and parole.
—Christopher Martin, 28, of the 3500 block of Second Street in Berwick, was arrested at 1:40 p.m. Sunday on the charge of simple battery on a juvenile and two counts of possession of a prescription drug without prescription. Martin was jailed with no bail set yet.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.

This story was written by Zachary Fitzgerald of The Daily Review staff.