Baton Rouge man arrested on crack cocaine charge

St. Mary Parish narcotics detectives arrested a Baton Rouge man Wednesday after observing him drop a crack cocaine rock and immediately fleeing the scene on foot, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.
—Ronald Clark, 47, of the 8200 block of Stern Avenue in Baton Rouge, was arrested at 6:09 p.m. Wednesday on the charges of possession of crack cocaine, resisting an officer, obstruction of justice and simple escape.
Narcotics detectives patrolling Morgan City observed a man walking towards Sixth Street. When detectives attempted to make contact with him, they observed him open his hand and drop a rock of crack cocaine to the ground, Hebert said. The suspect then fled on foot.
After a brief foot pursuit, detectives apprehended the suspect, identified as Clark, and placed him under arrest. While being escorted to a police unit, Clark forcefully pulled away from a detective’s custody, and again fled on foot, Hebert said. Following another short foot pursuit, detectives subdued Clark and transported him to the parish jail for booking. No bail was set.
Hebert reported responding to 27 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:
—George D. Harvey, 33, of the 100 block of Cane Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 10:14 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance law (drug free zone), and possession of counterfeit cocaine with intent to distribute.
Detectives with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division went to Harvey’s residence in Bayou Vista to serve the active warrant. Detectives located Harvey hiding in the garage. No bail was set.
—Aketa R. Francis, 23, of the 300 block of Egle Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of simple battery and on a warrant for failure to comply with the terms and conditions of drug court.
While conducting a traffic stop on a vehicle on U.S. 90 in Berwick, narcotics detectives identified a passenger as Francis, who was wanted on the two active warrants. Bail was set at $100,500.
—Thomas C. Thompson, 42, of the 100 block of Fernandez Court in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:50 p.m. Wednesday on two warrants for failure to appear for drug court status conferences. A deputy transported Thompson from the Assumption Parish jail to the St. Mary Law Enforcement Center on the warrants. Bail was set at $200,000.
Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported the following arrests:
—Dorothy Johnson, 68, of Willow Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:51 p.m. Wednesday on the charge of simple assault. Officers responded to Willow Street in regard to a domestic disturbance.
When officers arrived, the victim stated that he and Johnson were involved in a verbal altercation. According to reports, officers heard Johnson threaten the victim with a weapon.
Johnson was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department where she was booked and jailed.
—Kyle Q. Rhett, 23, of General McArthur Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:21 p.m. Wednesday on the charges of driving under suspension and speeding 30/15 in a school zone. An officer patrolling the area of Brashear Avenue observed a vehicle traveling faster than the posted speed limit during school zone hours.
A traffic stop was conducted and the driver, identified as Rhett, was asked to produce a valid driver’s license. A computer check determined Rhett’s driver’s license was suspended.
Rhett was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department where he was booked and jailed.
—Quintin Douglas, 24, of Tiffany Street in Patterson, was arrested at 1:47 a.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to pay fine. Officers came into contact with Douglas on U.S. 90.
A local warrants check was conducted and it was determined that Douglas had an active warrant in the Sixth Ward City Court. Douglas was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department where he was booked and jailed.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported no arrests.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.

This story was written by Shea Drake of The Daily Review staff. Reach her at sdrake@daily-review.com