Police: Man, who kicked officer, caught with pot

A 22-year-old New Iberia man was charged Thursday with battery on a police officer after he allegedly kicked an officer several times during a traffic stop in Morgan City. He also had marijuana packaged for distribution in his vehicle, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.
—Gerald K. Collins, 22, of New Iberia, was arrested at 9:43 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, violation of uniformed controlled dangerous substance law, failure to signal, and resisting an officer, battery on a police officer.
An officer patrolling the Victor II Boulevard area saw a vehicle turning from Victor II Boulevard onto Clothilde Street without proper use of a turn signal. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver, identified as Collins, appeared nervous and agitated, Blair said.
The Morgan City Police Department K-9 unit was also on scene to assist. Collins began yelling and cursing at the officers. Collins was placed under arrest when he began fighting with officers, Blair said.
Collins allegedly kicked one of the officers several times. After a short struggle, Collins was handcuffed and placed into the rear of a patrol car.
The K-9 was deployed and indicated an odor response for possible illegal narcotics inside the vehicle. Officers searched the vehicle and located suspected marijuana, which was believed to be packaged for distribution, Blair said. The location of the incident was within the area of a school. Collins was jailed.
Blair reported the following arrests:
—Linda T. Durkins, 44, of Egle Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:32 p.m. Thursday on charges of reckless operation of a motor vehicle, speeding 51 mph in a 15 mph speed zone, possession of marijuana, possession of oxycodone, possession of controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a juvenile, child passenger restraint system violation and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance law.
—Angela M. Durkins, 47, of Southeast Boulevard in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 2:32 p.m. Thursday on charges of resisting an officer by giving false information and on a Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant.
An officer patrolling the area of Federal Avenue near Wise Street observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed in a school zone. The officer conducted a traffic stop and the driver was identified as Linda Durkins.
While speaking with Linda Durkins, the officer noticed that there was a 2-year-old child in the rear of the vehicle that was not in a child restraint system, Blair said. The officer also spoke with a female passenger in the vehicle who at first identified herself as Lisa Smith.
The officer was given consent to search the vehicle and located suspected marijuana and oxycodone which Linda Durkins said was hers, Blair said.
The officer learned that the passenger had given a false name and that her name was actually Angela Durkins. Both Linda Durkins and Angela Durkins were jailed.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported responding to 47 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrest in east St. Mary Parish:
—Ricky A. Dupre, 36, of the 700 block of Sixth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:09 p.m. Thursday on the charge of theft. A deputy was dispatched to a complaint at the Amelia Belle Casino on Lake Palourde Road in reference to a report of a theft.
The deputy learned from witnesses and video surveillance footage that Dupre stole $20 from a tip jar at a concession stand. While speaking with the deputy, Dupre admitted to taking the money and then putting it into a gambling machine, Hebert said. Casino personnel banned Dupre from the location. The deputy released Dupre on a summons to appear in court Feb. 11.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrests:
—Paige Mabe, 26, of Fourth Street in Berwick, was arrested at 9:19 p.m. Thursday on warrants charging her with illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of persons under age 17, possession of synthetic marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
—Brittany Morgan, 24, of Fourth Street in Berwick, was arrested at 9:19 p.m. Thursday on warrants charging her with illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of persons under age 17, possession of synthetic marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Officers responded to a Fourth Street home earlier this week on a medical call. Mabe and Morgan were located in the home and transported to the hospital. Officers saw suspected synthetic marijuana in the residence, police said. Police also found a child in the home. Mabe and Morgan were jailed with no bail set yet.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported no arrests.