Deputies make arrests for theft, DWI

A 33-year-old Morgan City woman was arrested after trying to leave a business without paying for merchandise, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.

—Crystal Ledet , 33, of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:42 p.m. Wednesday on a charge for theft of goods.

A deputy assigned to patrol the Bayou Vista area responded to a report of theft at a local business. During the course of the investigation, the deputy learned that Ledet had $211.79 worth of merchandise in a shopping cart.

She attempted to leave the business without paying for the items. Ledet was later released on bail set at $1,000.

Hebert also reported responding to 39 complaints and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—Teresa McNeal, 46, of Third Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:11 a.m. Wednesday on warrants for failing to appear on the charge of operating a vehicle without properly lit lamps for conditions and failing to appear on charges of smoking with infant in vehicle and no child restraint.

McNeal presented herself to the Sheriff’s Office in Morgan City. She was later transported to the parish jail for booking. McNeal was released on bail set at $5,350.

— Dylon Chellette , 22, of Federal Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:40 p.m. Wednesday for obstruction of justice. A deputy assigned to patrol the Bayou Vista area conducted a traffic stop on La. 182.

During the course of the stop, the deputy made contact with an occupant of the vehicle, Chellette. The deputy learned that Chellette ate two partially burnt marijuana cigarettes.

Chellette was transported to the parish jail for booking. No bail is set.

—Adan Gutierrez, 37, of Moon Street in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 1:55 a.m. Wednesday on charges of improper lane usage, no turn signal and DWI .

A deputy patrolling the Morgan City area observed the driver of a vehicle swerve into another lane. The deputy also observed that the driver failed to initiate a turn signal when making a turn. A traffic stop was conducted and the deputy made contact with the driver, Gutierrez.

During the investigation, the deputy found Gutierrez to be impaired. A chemical test was ultimately conducted and resulted in a blood alcohol content level of 0.161 grams-percent. Gutierrez was jailed with no bail set.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrests:

—Travis Gilmore, 24, of Leo Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 11:12 a.m. Wednesday on the charges of possession of marijuana (third offense), possession of cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Gilmore was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for housing. No bail is set.

—Justin Scarbrough, 24, of Delmar Street in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 11:12 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of simple criminal damage to property. Scarbrough was released on bail set at $250.

—Jimmy Dirance, 49, of O Street in Patterson, was arrested at 11:35 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of drug paraphernalia and warrants with Lafourche Parish for DWI second offense, improper lane usage, and failure to pay fines.

Dirance remains jailed. Bail is set at $1,500.

Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrests:

—Kiefer Aaron Smith, 25, of Henry Street in Patterson, was arrested on the charges of DWI first offense and careless operation. Smith remains jailed and no bail is set.

—Ryan W. Lodrigue, 23, of Riverview Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 11:21 p.m. Tuesday on charges of DWI first offense and careless operation. Lodrigue was released on bail set at $2,000.

Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported the following arrest:

—Chad A. Toups, 41, of Oregon Street in Berwick, was arrested at 11:32 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of monetary instrument abuse.

Toups turned himself in at the Morgan City Police Department in regard to an active arrest warrant held by the Morgan City Police Department.

The warrant was obtained from an investigation conducted by Morgan City Police Detectives of an incident reported on June 27 at a La. 182 business of alleged monetary instrument abuse.

Toups was booked into the Morgan City Jail and later released on a bail set at $2,500.