Two arrested for store thefts after chase

Two theft suspects were captured Sunday in Morgan City after they fled from police officers in a vehicle, while running several other vehicles off the roadway, Morgan City Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.
—Charlie Bennett, 44, of Violet Street in Thibodaux, was arrested at 4:33 p.m. Sunday on the charge of aggravated obstruction of a highway of commerce, aggravated flight from an officer, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, driving under suspension and three counts of felony theft of goods.
—Saisha Willoughby, 28, of Napoleonville, was arrested at 4:33 p.m. Sunday on the charge of three counts of felony theft of goods.
An officer responded to a store on Brashear Avenue in regard to a report of a shoplifter. The officer arrived at that store and learned that the suspect involved had fled the area prior to the officer’s arrival.
The officer viewed video footage of the subject, later identified as Bennett, walking out of the store and loading numerous items into a vehicle, Blair said.
Bennett, who was assisted by Willoughby, then get into a vehicle and fled the area. A description of the vehicle was provided to officers, and officers saw the vehicle at a business on Brashear Avenue. An officer observed Bennett near the vehicle and told Bennett to stop.
Bennett got into the vehicle and pulled into traffic, at which time he began fleeing from officers. A vehicle chase ensued and officers chased Bennett north on Sixth Street. Bennett was observed driving at speeds estimated at 65 mph.
Bennett allegedly ran several vehicles off the roadway as he went out of the lane of travel to pass other vehicles. Bennett was also observed running several stop signs with no regard for other motorists or pedestrians.
The chase continued through several residential areas then onto La. 70 where officers were able to get the vehicle stopped. Both Bennett and Willoughby were taken into custody.
Officers located the items reported stolen from the store on Brashear Avenue along with items from two other stores in Morgan City.
The investigation further revealed that Bennett and Willoughby had gone to the two other stores in Morgan City, stole items and fled the area. Bennett also had a suspended driver’s license. Both Bennett and Willoughby were jailed.
Blair reported the following arrests:
—Drizzt A. Morales, 19, of Legrange Street in Franklin, was arrested at 1:23 p.m. Friday on warrants charging him with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Morales was transported from the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office jail to the Morgan City Police Department in regard to an active arrest warrant. Morales was jailed.
—Devante Frank, 23, of Aucoin Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3 p.m. Friday on a warrant charging him with contempt of court.
Frank was transported from Compass Behavior Center to the Morgan City Police Department Jail in regard to an active arrest warrant. Frank was jailed.
—Trent A. Giroir, 18, of Mooringsport, was arrested at 7:09 p.m. Friday on the charges of improper turning, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under suspension and a warrant charging him with speeding.
Patrolling officers observed a vehicle making an improper turn at the intersection of Front and Onstead streets and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, Giroir, had a suspended driver’s license and a Patterson police warrant for his arrest.
Officers located suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. Giroir was jailed.
—Edson A. Silva, 22, of Cynthia Street in Amelia, was arrested at 3:58 a.m. Saturday on the charges of no driver’s license, improper lane usage and possession of an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle.
A patrolling officer observed a vehicle on La. 182 near Pecos Street crossing out of its lane of travel and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, Silva, did not have a valid driver’s license. Officers also observed an open container of alcohol inside the vehicle. Silva was jailed.
—George D. Harvey, 34, of Cane Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:13 a.m. Saturday on the charge of criminal trespassing.
—Aketa R. Francis, 23, of Egle Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:13 a.m. Saturday on the charge of criminal trespassing.
An officer responded to an address on Federal Avenue in regard to a complaint of people trespassing on the property. The officer arrived and located Harvey and Francis on the front porch of the residence.
The officer spoke with the owner of the residence who told the officer that Harvey and Francis had been removed from the property in the past and told not to return. Both Harvey and Francis were jailed.
—Phillip K. Begley, 45, of Seventh Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3 p.m. Saturday on warrants charging him with hit and run and careless operation of a motor vehicle.
Begley turned himself in at the Morgan City Police Department in regard to active arrest warrants. Begley was jailed.
—Robin Carbin, 48, of Sixth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:22 p.m. Saturday on the charge of appearing in public in an intoxicated condition.
An officer responded to a business on La. 182 in regard to a person requesting medical attention. The officer came into contact with Carbin, who appeared to be intoxicated. Carbin was jailed.
—Bernard Pharagood, 29, of Hyland Street in Thibodaux, was arrested at 3:39 a.m. Sunday on the charges of improper lighting and driving under suspension.
A patrolling officer observed a vehicle in the area of La. 182 near Pecos Street with improper lighting in the rear of the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, Pharagood, had a suspended driver’s license. Pharagood was jailed.
—James R. Goode, 39, of Short Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:44 a.m. Sunday on the charge of hit and run and on warrants for failure to appear on the charge of hit and run, failure to appear on the charge of expired license plate and failure to appear on the charge of improper backing.
An officer responded to a business on La. 70 in regard to a traffic accident. The officer was notified that one of the vehicles involved was attempting to flee the area. A witness to the incident allegedly began following the fleeing vehicle, at which time the vehicle returned to the scene of the accident.
Officers made contact with the driver of the vehicle, identified as Goode, who had active arrest warrants. Goode was jailed.
—Ryan E. Dixon, 27, of Everett Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 5:08 p.m. Sunday on the charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of synthetic marijuana, violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance laws and obstruction of justice.
Officers responded to a park under the U.S. 90 bridge near Sixth Street in regard to a complaint of drug activity. Responding officers located one of the subjects, Dixon, in the area. Officers saw Dixon reach into his pocket and throw an object across the street, attempting to dispose of the item.
Officers retrieved the discarded object, in which police found suspected cocaine believed to be packaged for distribution. The location of the incident was within the area of two churches in violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance laws. Dixon was jailed.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported responding to 92 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests relating to east St. Mary Parish:
—Jesus Tenorio, 25, of the 2000 block of Lake Palourde Road in Amelia, was arrested at 9:37 p.m. Friday on the charge of illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities, disturbing the peace by intoxication, possession of Schedule II drugs, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, resisting an officer by providing false information and on a Morgan City police warrant for failure to appear on the charge of driver must be licensed.
A deputy responded to a report of a person firing a gun on Odile Lane in Amelia. The deputy made contact with several people in the area and located multiple spent rounds on the ground outside a home. The deputy also recovered a handgun and live rounds of ammunition inside a vehicle parked nearby.
The deputy collected additional evidence that Tenorio, who was located inside a residence, fired the weapon. The deputy also determined that Tenorio gave a false name during the investigation. Tenorio was booked into the St. Mary Parish jail with no bail set.
—Kenneth Rollins, 26, of Patterson, was additionally charged Friday with possession of synthetic cannabinoids, 4th offense, entering contraband into a penal institution, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of Schedule II oxycodone.
Correctional officers conducting a routine search of inmates returning from a work detail located the illegal drugs and rolling papers on Rollins. A detective with the narcotics division was contacted. Following the detective’s investigation, Rollins was charged for the additional offenses. No bail is set.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrests:
—Brian K. Prince, 21, of the 400 block of Camille Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 12:37 p.m. Friday on the charge of disturbing the peace by alarming the public. Prince was jailed on $327 bail.
—Alejandro Valero-Gutierrez, 29, of the 200 block of Halsey Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 5:37 p.m. Friday on the charge of disturbing the peace by alarming the public. He was released on $327 cash bail.
—Jermaine D. Carmouche, 37, of the 1200 block of Fifth Street in Patterson, was arrested at 2:13 a.m. Saturday on a warrant charging him with simple criminal damage to property less than $500. Carmouche was released on $1,250 bail.
—Milton R. Manzanares, 33, of the 7900 block of West Willow Street in Lafayette, was arrested at 11:26 p.m. Saturday on the charges of two headlights required, no driver’s license and resisting an officer by giving false information. He was released on $649 cash bail.
—Jalon J. Span, 21, of the 1600 block of Cherry Street in Patterson, was arrested at 11:40 a.m. Sunday on a warrant charging him with resisting an officer by flight and battery on a police officer. No bail is set yet.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrests:
—Zacolby Granger, 24, of Morgan City, was arrested at 12:56 a.m. Saturday on the charge of remaining after being forbidden. Bail was set at $300.
—George Griffin Jr., 63, of Berwick, was arrested at 7:22 p.m. Saturday on the charges of speeding, driving under suspension and possession of Schedule IV drugs. No bail has been set.
Franklin Police Chief Sabria McGuire reported the following arrest relating to east St. Mary Parish:
—Daeon Johnson, 26, of Apple Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:32 a.m. Saturday on the charges of possession of Schedule I marijuana, vagrancy and possession of drug paraphernalia. Johnson was also arrested on a Patterson City Court warrant for failure to appear for traffic violations.
Officers observed people standing around a business on Iberia Street. The business owners told officers they did not want people hanging around the business. Officers made contact with Johnson, who had a plastic bag inside of his mouth.
When Johnson removed the bag, officers learned that the bag allegedly contained narcotics. Johnson was jailed with no bail set yet.