Chief: Patterson man ran to avoid arrest

A 26-year-old Patterson man was arrested after fleeing the scene on fighting and drug charges, Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle said in a news release.

—Willis Trindale Verdine , 26, of the 1600 block of Live Oak in Patterson, was arrested Thursday on the charges of disturbing the peace by fighting, simple battery, possession of marijuana fourth offense, and introduction of contraband into a penal institution.

Officers received a call Thursday regarding a fight at 7:05 p.m. Upon arrival, officers observed a large crowd in the roadway of Martin Luther King and Live Oak streets. The officer spoke with two women.

One of the women told the officer that Verdine started an argument with her brother. It occurred while the woman was with her children and brother walking down the street. At this point, the sister tried to break it up.

It was reported Verdine had a gun. The argument continued between Verdine and the woman’s brother. She attempted again to break up the fight. Verdine punched her in the face and ran away from the scene, police said.

Later, an officer located Verdine, patted him down and found no gun. At that time, Verdine was placed under arrest and transported to Patterson Police Department. Upon arrival at the police department, the jailer searched Verdine and located a small plastic bag of a green leafy substance, which appeared to be marijuana.

Verdine remains jailed. No bail is set.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported responding to 29 complaints and reported the following arrest in east St. Mary Parish:

—Larry Barnett, 37, of the 1200 block of Sixth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:31 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family.

A deputy located Barnett at his home in Morgan City on the warrant and transported him to the parish jail for booking. Bail is set at $14,671.77.

Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported the following arrests:

—Morgan A. Young, 33, of Lafayette, was arrested at 6:16 p.m. Thursday on warrants for two counts of failure to pay fine, failure to pay probation fees and probation violation.

Young was transported from the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center to the Morgan City Police Department for active warrants she held for the Sixth Ward City Court. Young was booked and jailed.

—James Nicholas, 38, Birch Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:46 p.m. on a warrant for failure to pay probation fee.

Nicholas was located in the area of Second and Union streets. A local warrant check was done on Nicholas, and it was determined that he had an active warrant for the 6th Ward City Court. Nicholas was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.