Woman accused of leaving scene after hitting school bus

A 36-year-old Berwick woman was arrested Monday for side-swiping a school bus in the Bayou Vista area and leaving the scene, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said.

—Tiffany L. Romero, 36, of the 100 block of Nichole Lane in Berwick, was arrested at 3:44 p.m. Monday on the charges of hit and run driving, driving left of center, expired inspection sticker, no insurance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Deputies were dispatched to La. 182 near Southwest Road in Bayou Vista after receiving a 911 call of a hit-and-run involving a bus.

When deputies arrived, they made contact with the bus driver, another adult supervisor, and six juveniles who were riding on the school bus.

The Bayou Vista Volunteer Fire Department and Acadian Ambulance Service also responded to the scene. None of the occupants of the bus reported any injuries.

However, Acadian Ambulance paramedics tended each of the occupants as a precaution.

During the crash investigation, deputies collected evidence indicating that a car crossed into the oncoming lane of traffic and side-wiped the school bus despite the bus driver’s efforts to avoid a collision.

Witnesses to the hit and run provided deputies with descriptive information on the suspect vehicle.

Deputies located the damaged car in the parking lot of a business on U.S. 90 and made contact with the driver, identified as Romero.

In addition to finding evidence of the collision, deputies also discovered that Romero was operating the vehicle with no insurance and with an expired inspection sticker.

During her arrest, deputies located a glass pipe on her person suspected of being used to smoke illegal drugs, Hebert said.

Romero was transported to the parish jail. Bail is set at $3,250.

Hebert reported responding to 43 complaints and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—Kenneth Rollins, 26, of Patterson, was additionally charged Friday with possession of synthetic cannabinoids fourth 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.

— Leonce M. Perro , 25, of the 600 block of Iberia Street in Franklin, was arrested at 5:20 p.m. Monday on the charge of second degree battery with medical.

Perro remains jailed at Patterson Police Department. No bail is set.

—Jasmine A. Dugar, 24, of the 100 block of Guzzetta Drive in Berwick, was arrested at 3:44 p.m. Monday on a warrant for disturbing the peace by fighting.

Dugar was released on $383 bail.

—Darius D. Grogan, 22, of the 200 block of Hurst Street in Patterson, was arrested at 11:16 a.m. Monday on a charge for telephone harassment.

Grogan was released on bail set at $500.

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.

— Tomoz Allen, 20, of Patterson, was additionally charged with simple battery at 1:45 p.m. Friday.

—Dion Maize, 23, of Morgan City, was additionally charged with simple battery at 1:45 p.m. Friday.

A detective investigating a report of a possible altercation at the jail gathered evidence indicating that inmates Allen and Maize struck another inmate on Feb. 13 causing scratches on the victim’s forehead.

No bail is set for either Allen or Maize.

—Harley N. Rentrop , 23, of the 1200 block of South Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 5:17 p.m. Monday on a warrant for distribution of Schedule I drugs (marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids) and introduction of contraband into a penal institution.

Detectives with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division conducting an investigation at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center gathered evidence that Rentrop brought illegal drugs to the jail with the intent of supplying an inmate with the contraband.

Rentrop was taken into custody at the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office in Franklin on the warrant. No bail is set. This is an ongoing investigation.

—Jessica C. Bourgeois, 35, of the 800 block of Two Brother’s Street in Amelia, was arrested at 8:04 p.m. Monday for possession of synthetic cannabinoids and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Narcotics detectives received information that illegal drug activity was taking place at the above listed address. Detectives went to the location and made contact with Bourgeois.

While speaking with her, Bourgeois admitted that there were synthetic cannabinoids and cigar wraps inside the residence. The illegal items were located.

Bourgeois was released on a summons to appear in court May 4.

Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported the following arrests:

—Dwayne A. Dupuy , 35, of Nichole Lane in Berwick, was arrested at 11:02 p.m. Sunday on the charges of driving while intoxicated (second offense), improper turning and warrants for failure to appear to pay probation fee and probation violation.

A patrolling officer observed a vehicle on Ditch Avenue traveling out of its lane of travel and making an improper turn onto Railroad Avenue. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver identified as Dupuy .

A warrants check revealed that the 6th Ward Morgan City Court held active arrest warrants for Dupuy. While speaking with Dupuy, it was believed that Dupuy had been drinking and appeared to be intoxicated.

Dupuy was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for further chemical testing which Dupuy refused.

Dupuy was booked into the Morgan City Jail and incarcerated.

—Brennon B. Richard, 22, of Third Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:18 p.m. Monday on charges of possession of MDMA (ecstasy), possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance and loud music.

Morgan City Police Department Narcotics Detectives observed a vehicle in the area of La. 182 and Everett Street with loud music.

A traffic stop was conducted with the assistance of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office when the driver was identified as Richard.

Richard's behavior aroused investigators’ suspicions that he may be involved in illegal drug activity. A search of the vehicle was conducted and investigators located suspected MDMA along with a firearm.

Richard was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department where he was booked and jailed.