Sheriff: Man arrested after fleeing from warrant

A 29-year-old Ricohoc man was arrested after fleeing on foot from officers in a drug-related robbery and battery, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.

—John Buck Jr., 29, of the 260 block of Ricohoc Drive, was arrested at 6:32 p.m. Friday on the charge of resisting an officer and on a warrant for second-degree robbery and simple battery.

A dispatcher received information at 2:51 a.m. on March 1 about a possible battery that occurred at a residence in Centerville.

A detective investigating the complaint collected evidence that four male suspects repeatedly struck two male victims during a drug related robbery at the location.

One of the victims sustained a broken jaw and was transported to a hospital for treatment. Detectives identified several subjects involved in the crime and have made multiple arrests in the case.

During the investigation, a warrant was obtained for Buck’s arrest. Deputies developed information about Buck’s whereabouts and located him on Clarke Road in Bayou Vista.

When Buck saw one of the deputies, he fled on foot towards Saturn Road. The deputy pursued Buck on foot and apprehended him. Buck was transported to the parish jail for booking. Bail is set at $301,000.

Hebert reported responding to 91 complaints and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—Bennie Charles, 31, of the 1400 block of North Third Street in Morgan City, at 11:11 a.m. Friday on a warrant for failure to comply with the conditions of probation.

While booking Charles at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement in Centerville, a correctional officer located the active warrant. Charles was transferred to another facility for housing.

—Peter Grogan Jr., 37, of the 130 block of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, at 11:30 a.m. Friday on warrants for failure to appear on the charges of unauthorized use of an access card, failure to appear on the charges of domestic abuse batter and failure to appear on the charges of criminal neglect of family.

While booking Grogan at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center, a correctional officer located active warrants. Grogan was transferred to another facility for housing.

—Tyler Sanchez, 21, of the 330 block of Parish Line Road in Lake Charles, at 2:17 p.m. Saturday for possession of synthetic cannabinoids, possession of Xanax, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A deputy responding to a complaint of a reckless driver located the suspect vehicle on U.S. 90 in the Bayou Vista area and observed the driver cross onto the shoulder of the roadway several times.

The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, identified as Sanchez. While speaking with Sanchez, the deputy contacted the K-9 team to assist in the traffic stop investigation.

K-9 Buddy indicated that an illegal substance was in the vehicle. Sanchez admitted to the deputy that there were Xanax pills in the car.

During a search of the vehicle, the deputy located several Xanax pills, a bag of synthetic cannabinoids, an empty pack of cigars, and several small pieces of burnt cigars containing the synthetic drug.

Sanchez was issued a citation for improper lane usage and was transported to the parish jail for booking on the drug charges. Sanchez was released on bail set at $5,500.

—Raheem R. Richard, 23, of the 510 block of Paula Drive in Thibodaux, at 6:21 p.m. Saturday on the charges of failure to obey a traffic control signal and no insurance.

A deputy investigating a vehicle crash on U.S. 90 at Southeast Boulevard found that Richard ran a red light and struck a vehicle. No injuries were reported at the time of the crash.

The deputy also found that Richard was operating the vehicle without insurance. Richard was released on a summons to appear in court on July 25.

—Bobby Nelton, 39, of the 230 block of Pontiff Street in Houma, at 4:52 a.m. Sunday on the charge of driving under suspension.

A deputy investigating a complaint of a disturbance that occurred at a business in Amelia located a vehicle suspected of being involved and stopped the car in the area on U.S. 90.

The deputy made contact with the driver, Nelton, and learned that he was operating the vehicle with a driver’s license that is suspended. Nelton was released on a summons to appear in court on July 25.

—Wesley Stevens, 52, of the 140 block of Stevens Lane in Ricohoc, at 3:16 a.m. today for theft and disturbing the peace (intoxicated). A deputy responded to a complaint of a disturbance at a residence on Prairie Road Circle in Centerville.

The deputy made contact with Stevens and other subjects at the location. While speaking with Stevens, the deputy smelled the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath.

During the investigation, the deputy found evidence that Stevens refused to pay his fare after receiving cab service to the residence. Stevens was transported to the parish jail for booking. Bail is set at $1,500.

Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported the following arrests:

—Robert Gould Jr., 17, of Francis Drive in Morgan City, at 10:11 a.m. Friday on the charges of possession of marijuana and violation of uniformed controlled dangerous substance laws.

An officer responded to a school in regards to a student having marijuana. The officer arrived and spoke to a school administrator who told the officer that they had received information that a student, Gould, was alleged to be in possession of marijuana while inside the school.

School administration conducted an investigation, and Gould was found to be in possession of suspected marijuana. The suspected marijuana was turned over to the officer. Gould was jailed.

—Luis G. Rodriguez-Cruz, 32, of Lake Palourde Drive in Morgan City, at 10 p.m. Friday on the charge of hit and run driving.

Officers responded to the area of La. 70 near Lake End Park in regards to a call of a vehicle crash. While responding, officers were told that the vehicle involved in the crash had left the scene. Officers located the vehicle moments later and conducted a traffic stop. The driver was identified as Rodriguez-Cruz.

Police conducted an investigation and determined that Cruz’s vehicle was involved in the crash and had fled the scene. Cruz was jailed.

—Derrick J. Jones, 34, of Sixth Street in Morgan City, at 1:13 a.m. Saturday on the charges of possession with the intent to distribute synthetic marijuana and introduction of contraband into a penal institute and on two warrants for failure to appear on the charge of disturbing the peace, and a warrant charging him with probation violation.

Officers responded to a hotel on Brashear Avenue in regards to Jones being at the location. Officers knew that Jones had several arrest warrant held by the 6th Ward Morgan City Court. The officers arrived in the area and located Jones near the hotel.

Jones was placed under arrest at which time he began to resist officers and fled on foot. A foot chase then ensued, and officers captured Jones moments later. Jones was transported to the city jail where police located suspected synthetic marijuana on him. Jones was jailed.

—Tammy M. James, 52, of Columbus Avenue in Bayou Vista, at 6:18 a.m. Saturday on a warrant charging her with defamation.

James was located at a convenience store on La. 182 where she was arrested. The warrant stems from a March 19 complaint. James was jailed.

—Cody Gibbs, 20, of Glenwood Street in Morgan City, at 1:55 p.m. Saturday on the charges of disturbing the peace and criminal damage to property.

Officers responded to a medical facility on La. 70 in regards to Gibbs causing a disturbance at the location. Police located Gibbs and detained him for further investigation. Several witnesses told police that Gibbs was inside the facility causing a disturbance by using profane language and allegedly damaging property of the medical facility. Gibbs was jailed.

—Robert J. Prejent Jr., 17, of La. 182 in Franklin, at 2:25 p.m. Saturday on the charges of unlawful possession of tobacco by persons under 18, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and loud music.

A patrolling officer observed a vehicle in the area of Eighth Street playing loud music. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver of the vehicle identified as Prejent.

During the stop, Prejent’s behavior made the officer suspicions that he might be involved in illegal drug activity. A search was conducted and suspected marijuana, paraphernalia and tobacco products were located.

Prejent was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Jail where he was booked and jailed.

—Darell Gash, 35, of Blum Street in Berwick, at 12:02 p.m. Sunday on the charge of appearing in public intoxicated.

Officers responded to a local apartment complex on La. 182 in regards to a subject passed out in front of one of the rooms. The officers located Gash, who fit the description provided and appeared to be sleeping.

The officers made contact with Gash and it was believed that he had been drinking and appeared to be intoxicated. Gash was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Jail where he was booked and jailed.

Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrests:

—Clayton Brasley, 58, of the 100 block of Beau Lane in Morgan City, at 10:15 p.m. Friday on a charge for driving under the influence. Brasley was jailed. No bail is set.

—Courtland Kendall Watts, 25, of the 200 block of Clausen Road in Franklin, at 9:07 p.m. Sunday on a hold for Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office. Watts was jailed. No bail is set.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.