Police: Drunken driver had suspicious gun

A 41-year-old Bayou Vista man, who was pulled over Monday on suspicion of drunken driving, was discovered to have a firearm with obliterated serial numbers in his vehicle, Morgan City Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.
—Michael A. Bender, 41, of Southeast Boulevard in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 8:56 p.m. Monday on the charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, improper lane usage and possession of a firearm with obliterated numbers or marks.
A patrol officer in the area of La. 182 near Roderick Street observed a vehicle swerving in the roadway and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, Bender was asked to exit the vehicle. The officer could smell a strong odor of alcoholic beverage on Binder’s breath, Blair said. Bender performed poorly on a field sobriety test and officers arrested him.
Officers located a firearm in Bender’s vehicle with the serial numbers were scratched out, Blair said. Bender was transported to the Morgan City Police Department. Once at the department, Bender submitted to a chemical test for intoxication and registered 0.25 grams-percent blood alcohol content.
Blair reported the following arrests:
—Vincent J. Blackwell, 50, of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, at 2:29 p.m. Monday on a warrant charging him with theft under $750.
Blackwell was located on Railroad Avenue and arrested on a warrant, which stems from a July 29 incident where Blackwell is alleged to have taken items from an auto parts business, Blair said. The items were valued at $534.79. Blackwell was jailed.
—Dava C. Leonard, 33, of Sixth Street in Berwick, at 10 p.m. Monday on the charge of disturbing the peace by fighting.
—Malissa A. Gill, 26, of South Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, at 10 p.m. Monday on the charge of disturbing the peace by fighting.
Officers were dispatched to a residence on South Railroad Avenue in regards to a disturbance. When officers arrived, they were told that Leonard and Gill had gotten into a verbal altercation which that turned physical. Officers noticed marks on both women that indicated a physical altercation had taken place, Blair said. Both were jailed.
—Gregory P. Arceneaux, 25, of River Road in Berwick, at 9:59 p.m. Monday on the charges of improper lane usage, stop sign violation, on a Thibodaux Police warrant for failure to appear and turning movements and required signals.
A patrol officer in the area of Everett and Fifth streets observed a vehicle with improper lighting and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, Arceneaux, was determined to hold an active warrant for the Thibodaux Police Department. Arceneaux was jailed.
—Jerrold C. Arabie, 37, of Ditch Avenue in Morgan City, at 5:21 a.m. today on the charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated second offense and open container in vehicle.
Officers were dispatched to the area of Myrtle Street and Railroad Avenue in regards to a driver asleep at that intersection. Officers made contact with the driver, Arabie, who had the odor of alcoholic beverage on his breath, Blair said.
Officers also noticed an open can of alcohol in the vehicle, Blair said. Arabie performed poorly on a field sobriety test and was transported to the Morgan City Police Department. Once at the police department, Arabie submitted to a chemical test for intoxication and registered 0.181 grams-percent blood alcohol content.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported responding to 27 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests relating to east St. Mary Parish:
—Corey T. Tarver, 38, of the 1800 block of Main Street in Patterson, at 7:55 p.m. Monday on a warrant for failure to appear for a drug court status conference. A deputy conducting a booking at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center located an active warrant for Tarver. Bail is set at $100,000.
—Michael L. Gaines, 57, of the 200 block of Trevino Street in Berwick, at 10:19 p.m. Monday on the charges of license plate light required and driving under suspension. A deputy assigned to patrol the Bayou Vista area observed a vehicle without an illuminated license plate and conducted a traffic stop on La. 182 in Berwick.
The deputy made contact with the driver, Gaines, and learned that he was operating the vehicle with a suspended license. The deputy released Gaines on a summons to appear in court Nov. 17.
—Dalleshia Garrison, 25, of the 400 block of Blum Boulevard in Berwick, at 8:02 p.m. Sunday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of no seat belt, operating a vehicle without a driver’s license, and texting while driving. A deputy made contact with Garrison at the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office in Franklin and learned of the active warrant for her arrest. Bail is set at $250.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported no arrests.

The story was written by Zachary Fitzgerald of The Daily Review staff. Reach him at zfitzgerald@daily-review.com.