Oct 31, 2010 - A Violet man has been arrested for aggravated rape of his juvenile nephew, Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

The name of the 41-year-old man isn’t being released to protect the identity of the boy. The incident came to light when the child told a guidance counselor at school, who reported it to his mother and the Sheriff’s Office was notified, Pohlmann said.

He said the rape took place on Sunday, Oct. 24, at the uncle’s residence. After being notified, sheriff’s detectives from the Juvenile Division began an investigation that led to a judge issuing a warrant for the uncle’s arrest on an aggravated rape charge.

The boy, when interviewed by detectives, said he had been touched inappropriately in the past by the uncle but was sexually assaulted at the uncle’s residence on Oct. 24. No other charges haven been filed in the case but an investigation is continuing.

The adult, after learning from his attorney about the aggravated rape arrest warrant, surrendered to authorities on Friday, Oct. 29. He has been released from Parish Prison on a $60,000 bond.

(Top Photo) The Oct. 27 graduating class of the sheriff’s Citizens Police Academy, seated, and officers standing in the aisle include, from left, St. Bernard Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann, keynote speaker Acting Chief U.S. Marshal for the New Orleans area Steve Hartman, and in back Maj. Mark Poche, Capt. Charles Borchers and Capt. Marty Melerine. . (Above Left Photo) Jimmy Besson, head of the Jimmy’s Kids program in St. Bernard that helps special children, gave gifts from the class to coordinators Capt. Charles Borchers and Capt. Marty Melerine. (Above Right Photo) The Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, composed of, from left, Sheriff’s Deputies Lance Kramer, Michael Lyons, Thomas Spicuzza, Reginald Crayton and Clayten Burns, conducted the U.S. flag ceremony at the graduation.  STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTOs

Oct 30, 2010 - Jimmy Besson, who heads the Jimmy’s Kids group which aids special children in St. Bernard, praised the Sheriff’s Office and its Citizens Police Academy 8-week course for residents in a speech to the latest class of graduates, saying the sessions are great for learning facts about law enforcement and the fight against crime in the parish.

“You received so much instruction about the department,’’ said Besson, who said he loved the free sessions and presented gifts to coordinators Capt. Charles Borchers and Capt. Marty Melerine of the Sheriff’s Office.

“I’m proud of the Sheriff’s Office and its officers,’’ Besson said.

The graduation on Wednesday night, Oct. 27, was the third class of the Sheriff’s Citizens Police Academy since it was re-formed after Hurricane Katrina. Nearly 500 residents have taken the course since it began in 1999. Anyone interested in information on registering for a future class should call Borchers on Monday through Friday at (504) 278-7628. The classes are designed to foster a better understanding of law enforcement and what crime fighting entails.

Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann told the 45 residents in the class that, “St. Bernard is a safe community partly because of what we, the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office do, but mostly what residents like you do. You are our eyes and ears, seeing and hearing what goes on in your neighborhood and reporting suspicious activity you may see.

“I hope you will walk away with a proud feeling about the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office,’’ he said. “We have the best team on the field we have ever had. I also hope you become ambassadors for law enforcement and ask others you know to participate in Citizens Police Academy and our Neighorhood Watch programs,’’ Pohlmann said.

Steve Hartman, acting Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal for the region made up of more than 10 parishes in the New Orleans area, was keynote speaker for the ceremony. “It’s easy to see the (residents) here genuinely care about their parish,’’ Hartman said. “I’m impressed with the Academy you attended. Please leave here knowing St. Bernard Parish and the Sheriff’s Officer is better for you having been here.’’

In the course, St. Bernard Parish residents meet officers and experts from federal agencies and learn about various aspects of law enforcement and the criminal justice system through frank discussions about police work and crime in their parish, as well as getting the chance to ask questions.

Residents see equipment used in law enforcement, tour Parish Prison, learn boating safety tips and experience a firearms simulator which puts residents in the place of a sheriff’s deputy and lets them decide when a officer would have to use a weapon on a criminal suspect.

Volunteers who will write citations for violations of the St. Bernard Parish handicapped parking ordinance are, from left, Gary Gritter, Peter Rando and Joey Gritter. STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTO.

Oct 29, 2010 - Brothers Joey Gritter and Gary Gritter, and Peter Rando, all of St. Bernard Parish, will tell you upfront they have a problem with people who illegally park in handicapped parking zones.

And they admit that having relatives who are disabled children has brought the issue squarely home for them.

Now they are hoping to be able to do something to help.

The three volunteered to the Sheriff’s Office and have been authorized to occasionally ride through parking lots of public buildings and businesses to write citations for violations of the parish handicapped parking zone ordinance.

The ordinance calls for a fine of not less than $100 and up to $500, at the discretion of a judge.

Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said the volunteers aren’t commissioned sheriff’s deputies but have received training to issue citations for this specific purpose and should be accorded the respect of the public. Deputies will also continue to answer reported complaints about handicapped parking violations as they always have.

Pohlmann said, “We know people sometimes feel they are only going to be a minute or so in a bank, a store or public building and think it’s okay to illegally park in a designated handicapped parking zone.

“But in reality it’s not right and certainly not courteous to do that,’’ Pohlmann said. “We ask our residents to take the extra minute to find a legal parking spot because people who are disabled deserve our respect and by law are entitled to park in places that allow them to more easily get around.

“Put yourself in their place,’’ Pohlmann said. “Limited mobility is tough enough for them without other people ignoring the law that dedicates certain parking areas to the disabled. One day it may be you or a loved one who needs a handicapped parking space.’’
 
Joey Gritter of Arab, his brother Gary Gritter of Meraux, and Peter Rando if Chalmette, volunteered as a group to help the public better understand the needs of the disabled by, if necessary, writing citations for violations of handicapped parking laws.

Joey Gritter has a 5-year-old disabled daughter and knows what it means to look for handicapped parking zones that are accessible to a van so that he and his wife, Kim, can unload the child’s wheelchair when they take her to places including therapy.

“I never realized until we had our daughter how much space handicapped people needed in order to get out of a vehicle,’’ Gritter said.

Now he is adamant that people don’t think enough about handicapped parking spaces and what they mean for the disabled.  “There are people who need these spots as a necessity, not just as a convenience. I feel handicapped parking is being abused by some people. I see it every day.’’

Gritter said he looks forward to volunteering his time because, “I feel it will be an opportunity to make a difference by helping people who need handicapped parking places.

“I’m not here to make people pay a fine,’’ he said. “I just want to get out the message how important these spaces are to people with disabilities.’’

Rando, who lives in Chalmette, has a disabled 9-year-old grand-daughter.

“Even before I had my grand-daughter it aggravated me that people would park in those spots that were for the handicapped,’’ Rando said. “Why do they do that when people need these spots?”

“I was at a store the other day and saw two women parked in a handicapped spot with a (handicapped parking) sticker.’’

“Neither were handicapped. It was a relative’s car. It’s irritating to see people abuse these spots because it’s taking them away from people who actually need them.’’

“If you point it out to them, generally people are rude about it,’’ Rando said. “When I have asked people why they do it mostly I’m told it’s none of my business.’’

Gary Gritter of Meraux is godfather to his brother Joey Gritter’s disabled child.

“I never used to pay a lot of attention to handicapped parking,’’ he said. But he said he has noticed it since being involved in bringing his niece places and having to deal with it. “Now I see what my brother has to go through.’’

Gary Gritter said the average person doesn’t see it from the viewpoint of the handicapped person and those who escort them.

“It’s an unconscious behavior,’’ he said, but he would like more people to give a little more thought to the problems of others.

It may be that having a penalty to pay in the form of a citation would be what it would take to have people remember that the handicapped parking spots are only for the truly disabled, Gary Gritter said.

“One of my biggest beefs are the small retail places that have only one or two spots allocated to handicapped parking,’’ he said. Gritter said he has also noticed there have been problems at parks and playgrounds.

Also, some retailers don’t maintain their handicapped spots often enough by failing to repaint or restripe them to keep them visible, he said.

Here’s what the parish ordinance on handicapped parking says:

Sec. 20-146, St. Bernard Parish Ordinance: Handicapped parking zones

No vehicle shall be parked in a handicapped parking space, either public or private, unless it bears a special state-approved handicapped parking license plate or a state approved handicapped parking card. If a handicapped parking card is used, the card shall be visibly displayed on the dashboard of the driver’s side of the vehicle.

No vehicle shall be used to block access to a handicapped parking space or handicapped accessibility area unless it bears a state-approved handicapped parking card appropriately displayed.

The sheriff of the parish shall enforce the provisions of this section whether the violation occurs on public or private property.

Any vehicles parked in violation of this section shall be towed to a storage area designated by the sheriff and the owner of the vehicle will be required to pay the cost of towing and storage.

The registered owner of a vehicle parked in violation of this section shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor or shall be ordered to pay a fine of not less than $100 and up to $500 or to serve a jail sentence of up to 30 days in the Parish Prison, or both, at the discretion of the court.
 

Oct 25, 2010 - A New Orleans man was arrested and booked with aggravated rape Saturday morning, Oct. 23, just minutes after he pulled a gun and raped a woman he offered a ride in Chalmette, Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Willie Watson, 27, 1801 Homestead St., is being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of $250,000 bond set by a judge on Monday. Watson has a prior arrest on a rape charge but there was no information on its outcome.

Watson raped the woman in a sports utility vehicle after he stopped on Williams Street in Meraux, near Myrtle Grove Drive, just after 8 a.m. on Oct. 23, Pohlmann said. She said she was walking home on East Judge Perez at Laplace Drive when she accepted Watson’s offer of a ride. 

The 29-year-old victim, who lives in Meraux, called authorities after he let her out of the SUV and gave a description of the vehicle. Minutes later, State Police Trooper Alan Arcana, on duty in St. Bernard Parish, stopped a vehicle matching the description and detained Watson for St. Bernard sheriff’s deputies, who booked him on a charge of aggravated rape.

A semi-automatic pistol was also found in the vehicle Watson was driving.

St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Detective Trey Delaune places a flier on the door of a registered sex offender which says no candy can be given at the residence on Halloween. STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTO.

Oct 22, 2010 - St. Bernard Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said all registered, convicted sex offenders in the parish will get a visit from sheriff’s detectives before Halloween and again on that day and it won’t be to give them a trick-or-treat.

Instead, they are being reminded, Pohlmann said, that under state law registered sex offenders can’t distribute candy or other gifts to persons under the age of 18 at Halloween, Mardi Gras, Easter, Christmas or any other holiday for which candy is often given out to minors.

He said violators of the law shall be sentenced to a term in prison of not less than six months and up to three years.

“This is something we take seriously,’’ Pohlmann said. “The law is there to protect minors from coming in contact with a registered sex offender at their home, in the guise of them giving candy or gifts. Every parish has registered sex offenders and parents should be aware of this.

“Our people are going to the homes of such offenders in advance of Halloween, reminding them of the law prohibiting giving candy and its penalties,’’ Pohlmann said. “We tell them we will be doing a compliance check on Halloween and if they don’t follow the law they will be arrested.’’

Detectives, Pohlmann said, are bringing a copy of a flier which says “Stop. No candy at this residence’’ for registered sex offenders to place near their front door.

The Sheriff’s Offices wants the resident to put up the flier “for their benefit as well as minors,’’ Pohlmann said, because they will be arrested if a deputy passes back and children are at their door and the registered sex offender is mingling with them.

He said parents or escorts walking with minors as they trick-or-treat should make sure children avoid residences where fliers are posted saying “No Candy.’’

Compliance checks by the Sheriff’s Office also make sure the registered sex offender is living at the address they last gave to authorities when they either moved to St. Bernard or changed their address.

Pohlmann said the OffenderWatch program on registered sex offenders across Louisiana informs the public where the offenders live in neighborhoods and gives information on their convictions. The information can be found on the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Web Site at www.sbso.org or on the Louisiana State Police Web Site. The site is maintained in St. Bernard Parish by Detective Capt. Jeff Roderfeld

“Take advantage of this available information and be aware of whether registered sex offenders live in your neighborhood,’’ Pohlmann said.
 

Amilcar Gutierrez-Rosales, 41

Oct 22, 2010 - A Chalmette man has been booked with obscenity involving exposing himself while in a van to a woman who was exiting a Chalmette store, Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Amilcar Gutierrez-Rosales, 41, 2501 Blanchard, Drive, was arrested early Oct. 20 and also was booked with disturbing the peace by being drunk in public, Pohlmann said. Since his arrest, he has been released on a $10,000 surety bond set by a judge.

The incident he was arrested for was reported to authorities the night of Oct. 16 and was among three incidents within days of each other in which an unknown Hispanic man in a white Chevrolet van was reported to have exposed himself to a woman in a business parking area, whistled at another woman on a street and was seen acting suspiciously by a third woman in a separate business parking lot, Pohlmann said.

Sheriff’s deputies had concentrated on looking for the van since the first incident and on the night of Tuesday, Oct. 19, Deputy Sheriff James Norsworthy located a parked van in Arabi matching the description of the wanted vehicle.  He and deputies Ryan Melerine and Lance Kramer were on the scene when Gutierrez-Rosales came over, aggressively questioning why they were looking at the van, Pohlmann said.

He said the man, who had a strong odor of alcohol and admitted to having drank several beers, was initially booked with disturbing the peace by being drunk in public.

Deputies afterward were put in touch with the victim who reported that on Oct. 16 a man exposed himself to her as she was walking to her vehicle after exiting a store.

She met with deputies, who, using photos provided by the sheriff’s Communications Division, asked her if she could identify the man from among numerous photos. The woman positively identified the suspect taken into custody on the disturbing the peace charge as the man who also had exposed himself Oct. 16, Pohlmann said.

Deputies returned to Parish Prison where Gutierrez-Rosales was being held, and booked him Oct. 20 on the obscenity count.

Michael Engolia, 56

Oct 21, 2010 - Chalmette man is being sought on a warrant alleging he forcibly raped a teen-ager multiple times over a period of several months this year, Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Michael Engolia, 56, hasn’t been located by sheriff’s detectives who obtained a warrant for his arrest issued by a judge. Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call the St. Bernard Parish sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501 or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 and they could be eligible for a reward, Pohlmann said.

Engolia raped a teen-ager multiple times between June and October of this year, Pohlmann said, but the woman, who knew him and apparently feared for her life, didn’t report the attacks to authorities, but rather confided them to a member of her church who notified the Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff’s detectives began an investigation that led to the arrest warrant being issued.

Oct 18, 2010 - The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office has released Halloween safety tips to help ensure a safe and happy time for children.
Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann also said that, as it has for years, the department will step up DWI and traffic enforcement on Halloween for the protection of trick-or-treating children and adult party-goers.

Motorists are asked to slow down, be extra cautious and watch for pedestrians, Pohlmann said.

And remember, Pohlmann said, “Children should never enter a stranger’s home’’ while trick-or-treating and when they have collected their goodies they shouldn’t be eaten until taken home and sorted out to check that they are safe. Call the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501 if there are any problems.

Pohlmann also said there will be extra patrols on highways and in neighborhoods to enforce DWI laws and traffic enforcement. Motorists should watch for possible road blocks in neighborhoods.

The Sheriff’s Office will also be ready to respond to traffic problems caused by Halloween-related parties and other activities, such as parties associated with the New Orleans Saints football game being televised on Halloween night.

Capt. Charles Borchers, director of Crime Prevention programs including Neighborhood Watch, advised that because of the ongoing rebuilding process in St. Bernard, there are things children trick-or-treating and their escorts should watch for that are specific to our parish.
“Trick-or-treaters should be especially careful in areas where there are vacant properties, where streets are under repair or where the lighting is bad,’’ Borchers said. Also, prepare children’s costumes with safety in mind and when they are out trick-or-treating they should have an adult escort and be extra careful before crossing streets.

Here are safety tips:

BEFORE HALLOWEEN:
   • Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure shoes fit well and costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame. Add reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
   • Write identification (name, address, phone number) within Halloween attire or on a bracelet.
   • Purchase only costumes or wigs with a label indicating they are flame-resistant and consider non-toxic make-up instead of masks
   • Think carefully before using simulated knives, guns or swords, making certain they don’t appear authentic.
   • Have flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts and use only battery-powered lanterns or chemical light sticks in place of candles.
   • Teach children their home phone number and how to call 9-1-1 or the Sheriff’s Office at 271-2501 if they have an emergency or become lost.
   • Review with children the principle of "Stop-Drop-Roll", should their clothes catch on fire.
   • Discuss appropriate and inappropriate behavior at Halloween time. 
   • Take extra effort to eliminate tripping hazards on your porch and walkway. Check around your property for flower pots, low tree limbs, support wires or garden hoses that may prove hazardous to young children.

BEFORE NIGHTFALL ON HALLOWEEN:
   • Remember fire safety when decorating. Don’t overload electrical outlets with holiday lighting or special effects, and don’t block exit doors.
   • While children can help with the fun of designing a Jack O' Lantern, leave the carving to adults.
   • Always keep Jack O' Lanterns and hot electric lamps far away from drapes, decorations, flammable materials or areas where children and pets will be standing or walking.
   • Plan and review with children the route and behavior which is acceptable to you.
   • Do not permit children to bicycle, roller-blade or skateboard to trick-or-treat.
   • Agree on a specific time when revelers must return home.
   • Confine or in some way prepare household pets for an evening of frightful sights and sounds outside. Be sure all dogs and cats are wearing collars and proper tags.
   • Remind all household drivers to remain cautious and drive slowly throughout the community.
   • Adult party-goers should establish a designated driver.

WHEN TRICK-OR-TREATING:
   • A parent or adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.
   • Remind Trick-or-Treaters:
   • Never enter a stranger’s home for any reason.
   • Use a flashlight so they can see and be seen.
   • Stay in a group, walk slowly and communicate where you are going.
   • Only trick-or-treat in well known neighborhoods at homes that have a lit porch light.
   • Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk. If there are none, walk at the farthest edge of the roadway facing traffic.
   • Never cut across yards or use alleys. Obey all traffic and pedestrian regulations.
   • Always walk. Never run across a street and only cross the street as a group and never in the middle of the block.
   • Remove any mask or item that will limit eyesight before crossing a street.
   • Don't assume the right-of-way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will.
   • Never consume unwrapped food items or open beverages given by others.
   • No treats are to be eaten until an adult checks them at home; don’t sort them before going home.
   • Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

AFTER TRICK-OR-TREATING:
   • Don’t let children eat all treats at once; save and give them out over several days after Halloween. 
   • Make sure items that can cause choking (such as hard candies), are given only to those of an appropriate age.

(Left) Chief of Detectives Col. John Doran, left, and Detective Sgt. Donald Johnson talk with members of their 5-6 year-year-old team on the field during a timeout in a game. (Right) Deputy John Scheuermann, standing at rear, looks over the shoulder of his son, John Jr., as players gather after a game.  Photos by Steve Cannizaro

Oct 18, 2010 - Two St. Bernard sheriff’s detectives and a patrol deputy are involved in coaching their sons’ football teams in the parish recreation department and say helping youngsters learn discipline, sportsmanship and preparation for life are their motivation.

Chief of Detectives Col. John Doran is head coach of a 5-6 -year-old team that includes his son, Seth. Doran played football at Borgnemouth Park in Violet and later played at Chalmette High and Pearl River Junior College.

Detective Sgt. Donald Johnson assists Doran on the Sharks team that includes his son, Donald Jr. Johnson, who lived in Baton Rouge before moving to St. Bernard Parish, played football at Grambling State and also semi-pro ball.

Sheriff’s Deputy John Scheuermann, is an assistant coach for the 9-10 year-old team, the Jaguars, that includes his son, John Jr. He has played baseball and football in St. Bernard and has coached since his son was 5-years-old.

Doran said, “The lessons you learn playing football you keep the rest of your life. It’s so basic. You get knocked down and have to get back up, just like the rest of your life.’’

“Football teaches team work, hard work, good sportsmanship, respect for yourself and others. You don’t forget those experiences,’’ Doran said. 

“Now it’s my turn to give back to other kids by teaching them the same.’’

Johnson said, “What I know I can share with kids.’’ Besides teaching football techniques, Johnson said, he wants to help children learn the lesson that “police officers aren’t just there to put people in jail but are there to help people.’’

“I believe I can make a difference for kids by showing them positive influences,’’ Johnson said “You can make sure discipline and confidence come into play in their lives.’’

Scheuermann said, “I go out to teach the fundamentals: catching and hitting in baseball, blocking, footwork, tackling in football.’’

“But the biggest thing is them having fun, knowing they did something right and learning sportsmanship,’’ Scheuermann said. “Learning to play together as a team, learning discipline. Those are lessons for life.’’

“I get a lot out of coaching,’’ Doran said. “It takes me back. I just love being out on the field. And it’s good to see the transformation in the kids as they understand what you are telling them and you see them get better at it.’’

Johnson also said it’s satisfying to work with youngsters and see them enjoy themselves and gain more confidence. “I can see myself in my son – like that look on his face when they win.’’

Scheuermann added that what makes coaching so enjoyable is seeing the youngsters get something out of it. “I like seeing what you apply to the kids work on the field. They are like sponges, looking to learn.’’

(Left) A player on the team Scheuermann helps coach carries the ball during a game.  (Right) Coaches’ sons, Donald Johnson Jr., left, and Seth Doran.  Photos by Steve Cannizaro

Oct 15, 2010 - A man and a woman were arrested with more than ounce of crack cocaine found in a search of their Violet home, Sheriff Jack A. Stephens said.

The 30 grams of cocaine, a larger amount than normally scene in St. Bernard Parish, would have had a street value of up to $100 a gram, the sheriff said.

Arrested were Dominique McGill, 23, and Mikeala Simon, 24, both of 5828 Sixth St. Both were booked Oct. 8 with possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of more than 28 grams of cocaine and violation of a controlled dangerous substance law in a drug-free zone, in this case near a church.

Also they were booked with possession of drug paraphernalia including a digital scale to be used for bagging and selling cocaine and McGill was booked alone on a charge of possession of one tablet of hydrocodone.

Agents of the sheriff’s Special Investigations Division, commanded by Col. Chad Clark, developed information which led to obtaining a warrant from a judge to search the residence where the man and woman lived.

Both were booked into St. Bernard Parish Prison but McGill was later released on a property bond of $46,000 and the woman was released on a property bond of $36,000. Sheriff Stephens said.

In an unrelated case, an incident that began with a woman pumping more gasoline at a store on Oct. 17 than she paid for grew into a narcotics arrest with her and another woman booked with possession of marijuana, which authorities allege they were going to share with a 13-year-old boy riding in the vehicle with them, the sheriff said.

Susan Marchand, 19, 2205 Livaccari Drive, Violet, was booked with theft of about $19 of gasoline, after paying $15 at a store but pumping about $34 of gasoline and leaving in a car driven by Brittany Walker, 22, 2120 Livaccari Drive. Walker wasn’t arrested on the theft charge.

After operators of the store in Meraux called authorities and gave a description of the vehicle, the women were stopped in the car in Meraux, the sheriff said.

About $40 worth of marijuana and remains of two marijuana cigarettes were found in the car, in which a 13-year-old Chalmette boy and two other juveniles were passengers. Both women were booked with possession of the marijuana and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. Walker also was booked with driving without a license.

Both women were being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison. Bond information wasn’t available.

The 13-year-old boy was taken to the Juvenile Detention Center after he was found to have a tobacco product on him.

Randy Delise Jr., 18

Oct 14, 2010 - Three arrests have been made in four recent burglaries, including a man found in his underwear inside someone’s car, a teen-ager who had property stolen from two other vehicles and a woman who stole a wallet from a neighbor’s trailer home, Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Mark Glossop, 27, 2806 Valor Drive, Chalmette, was arrested at 3 a.m. on Oct. 10, by patrol deputies while he was drunk and sitting in his underwear in another man’s car in the 8500 block of Valor, Pohlmann said.

Glossop, who a witness said exposed himself before getting in the vehicle, was also seen opening the glove compartment. He was booked with obscenity, burglary, resisting arrest, public intoxication, criminal damage to the vehicle and on an outstanding warrant in which he was wanted for theft in St. Bernard, Pohlmann said.

There was no bond information available.

On Tuesday, Oct. 12, Randy Delise Jr., 18, 851 Mehle Ave., Arabi, was  booked with two counts of possession of stolen property worth more than $500 that was taken in two vehicle burglaries on Mehle Avenue overnight, Pohlmann said. He said the teen-ager is also a suspect in a third vehicle burglary on Mehle but no evidence was found directly linking him at this time.

Sheriff’s deputies responding to a burglary report developed information that led to Delise and tied him to two burglaries overnight. He was arrested on a warrant signed by a judge.

Pohlmann said stolen property including two car stereo systems, a video game system and a gym bag containing a jacket and other items – all taken in two burglaries on Mehle - were recovered.

Delise remains in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of $10,000 bond.

In the other unrelated arrest, Dana Kritzman, 25, 1936 Laura Drive, Chalmette, was booked  Oct. 8 with simple burglary of a neighbor’s trailer home in which a wallet was stolen and recovered, Pohlmann said.

A resident in a trailer park said he was in his residence when he saw Kritzman enter and grab his wallet but said he reacted by pulling the wallet from her hands and she went back to her residence and he called the Sheriff’s Office.

When sheriff’s deputies arrived they detained the woman’s husband as he was leaving and he gave permission for them to search the trailer home for Dana Kritzman, who was found under the bed in a bedroom.

Dana Kritzman was booked with simple burglary. No bond information was available.
 

Oct 11, 2010 - Two Plaquemines Parish men were booked early Monday, Oct. 11, with simple kidnapping and battery of an 18-year-old Chalmette woman who said she was forced into a vehicle while walking, but soon escaped and reported the license number and the men were stopped in the vehicle by St. Bernard Parish deputies, Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Merlin Encalade, 49, and Kevin Encalade, 46, both of 17165 Highway 15, Pointe a la Hache, were arrested about 2:30 a.m. and booked into the St. Bernard Parish Prison by patrol deputies responding to the report by the female, Pohlmann said. Both were being held pending an appearance before a judge to have bond set.

Merlin Encalade is a registered sex offender, charged with sexual battery in Plaquemines Parish in 2004 and charged in 2009 with two counts of failure to register as a sex offender in that parish, according to a sheriff’s report of the incident.

The woman told deputies said she left an Arabi restaurant where she had been with her sister and was walking home when two men in a sport utility vehicle asked her to get in and go to breakfast with them, saying she told them no.

The men soon stopped their vehicle and one man got out, grabbed her arms and told her to get in the SUV, she said, but she struggled and got free until the driver also got out, forced her into the back seat, and they drove west toward New Orleans.

Inside the vehicle, one man produced money and offered it to her, she said.

The driver soon stopped in the parking lot of a restaurant on St. Claude Avenue in Arabi, exited the SUV and got into the back seat with her, she said, but claimed she was then able to jump out and run into the restaurant where the Sheriff’s Office was called and she gave the license number of the vehicle and a description of the men.

Deputies soon found and stopped the vehicle and the men were arrested, although they claimed the teen-ager had willingly got into the SUV with them and traveled to the restaurant without any physical struggle.

Oct 10, 2010 - An Alabama man who had been staying at a Chalmette house is wanted on an arrest warrant after 25 tablets of the drug Ecstasy were found at the residence and two other men were arrested there on marijuana charges, and an assault rifle and two handguns were seized, Sheriff Jack A. Stephens said.

Richard Desisto, 49, who had used a bedroom in a house at 34 W. Carmack Drive while staying in Chalmette, is wanted in connection with the discovery of the Ecstasy tablets by the sheriff’s Special Investigations Division commanded by Col. Chad Clark, the sheriff said.

A judge signed an arrest warrant charging Desisto with possession of the Ecstasy. The tablets, which tested positive for the presence of MDMA – commonly called Ecstasy - would have had a street value of more than $400. Also found in the room used by Desisto were five tablets of the drug Suboxone, used in the treatment of heroin addiction, and Desisto is also wanted on a charge of possession of that drug, Sheriff Stephens said.

He said sheriff’s agents had gone to the house on West Carmack after developing information that marijuana was being sold there by a resident.

Officers found two men and a woman leaving the house on Oct. 1.

One of the men, Dennis Funez, 2912 Debouchel Blvd., Meraux, was found to have a small amount of marijuana on him and was later booked with possession, the sheriff said.

Agents learned Funez had been there to purchase marijuana from Robert Bartholomew, 23, of 34 W. Carmack Drive. Carmack agreed to cooperate, Sheriff Stephens said, and invited agents into the house and agreed to a search. Bartholomew said he had been selling marijuana. In the house, agents found just under a quarter-ounce of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, $2,194 in cash, an automatic assault rifle and two handguns, the sheriff said.

He said Bartholomew was booked with distribution of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of firearms while in possession of controlled dangerous substances and paraphernalia possession.

It was during the search of the bedroom used by Desisto that the Ecstasy and Suboxone were found but Desisto reportedly had left to go back home to Alabama, the sheriff said. The warrants for his arrest were then sought by a judge who issued them.

There wasn’t information available on bonds set for Bartholomew and Funez after their arrests.

(Left) Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Clement and others fire from a kneel position at targets in the dark. (Right) Sheriff’s Deputy Clayten Burns and others fire from standing position.

Sgt. Richard Barr shines a flashlight on targets to check accuracy of shooting.

Oct 10, 2010 - More than likely, if police officers are physically attacked – or have a gun drawn on them – it’s going to happen at night, especially if they surprise someone in the act of committing a crime, St. Bernard Parish Chief Deputy James Pohlmann said.

For that reason, one of the training regimes for sheriff’s deputies involves what is called, “low light firearms’’ practice, basically target shooting in the dark or dim light.

“Most officer assaults nationally happen during night hours,’’ Pohlmann said. “You have to be prepared. You can’t walk away from a situation because it happens at night instead of day-time or because conditions aren’t perfect.’’

In the last week, deputies have been working in different situations involving using weapons in low light situations, led by department Director of Training Maj. David DiMaggio and the other firearms instructors, Detective Lt. Raymond Theriot and Special Investigations Division Agent Tommy Duplessis.

“We want to get training in at night because you need to be tested in different environments,’’ DiMaggio said. “As officers you have to work in darkness, rain, cold and heat.”

DiMaggio said St. Bernard deputies have been involved in shootings at night, but fortunately not often.

Training includes shooting from different positions, including walking, standing, kneeling, he said.

As to be expected, “You can see a difference in accuracy’’ when officers try to hit targets in the dark, DiMaggio said, although some weapons can be mounted with flashlights.

Training sessions were held at a shooting range run by the Slidell Police Department, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Louisiana National Guard at Camp Villere in St. Tammany Parish.

Oct 7, 2010 - Three men and a woman were arrested quickly after a reported burglary of hundreds of pounds of copper wiring and other types of metal piping inside and outside an apartment complex in Meraux, Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

A witness to the incident on Oct. 4 called the owner of the apartment who called the Sheriff’s Office and all four were arrested as they tried to sell about $650 worth of items at a scrap yard in Chalmette, Pohlmann said.

He said more than 200 pounds of copper wiring and quantities of insulation wiring, sheet iron and yellow brass piping were stolen from an apartment and outside the complex on Tusa Drive, but recovered in the arrests.

Booked with burglary, theft and possession of stolen property were: Breshine Franklin, 22, 1912 Pilate Lane, St. Bernard community; and three Violet men, Kevin Gabriel, 19, 2902 Daniel Drive; Tony B. Washington, 21, 3001 Angelique Drive; and Quentin Blaise, 22, 2224 Caluda Lane.

All were booked into St. Bernard Parish Prison. Gabriel was released on $10,000 bond; the others are being held in lieu of bond set at $50,000 each.

In an unrelated case, Stephen J. Ciuffi, 25, of Chalmette, was booked Oct. 2 with aggravated burglary of a residence.

Ciuffi was arrested hiding behind bushes in a yard at a residence in Chalmette after a woman who knew him reported he had broken into her home while he was sleeping, Pohlmann said. She said she found Ciuffi in the laundry room, holding a kitchen knife, then he ran out of the house when she said she was calling the Sheriff’s Office.

A knife was found in the laundry room on a pile of clothing by Sheriff’s Deputy Cpl. Michael Lyons, who saw Ciuffi when he searched the back yard.

Ciuffi, who admitted breaking into the house but said he didn’t have a knife, is being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison on a parole violation hold.

Oct 7, 2010 - A Roseland, La., man died at the Exxon Mobil plant in Chalmette Wednesday night while repairing a pipe that was leaking hydrogen sulfide gas, the Sheriff’s Office was told.

Gregory Starkey, 33, employed by Team Industrial Services Inc. of Harahan, was pronounced dead after the incident that happened just before 10:30 p.m., a sheriff’s incident report said.

C.P.R. was performed on the man but he was dead on the scene. The Sheriff’s Office was called to the plant after Starkey had died.

There wasn’t any indication of foul play and an official at the plant told sheriff’s deputies the victim was part of a group repairing a pipe that was leaking hydrogen sulfide gas when he collapsed.

A cause of death hadn’t been determined.

The Sheriff’s Office, which has already collected 6,000 old or unneeded prescription medications this year in its “Operation Medicine Cabinet,’’ reminds residents they can call (504) 271-DOPE to make arrangements to drop off any they want to get rid of to avoid them falling into the hands of other people.

Agents of the sheriff’s Special Investigations Division check messages on the DOPE HOTLINE each day and will return all calls to arrange to have old or unused prescriptions medications surrendered to be destroyed.

Since “Operation Medicine Cabinet’’ began in April, about 5,000 pills and other medications have been collected and another 1,000 were received Sept. 25 when the Sheriff’s Office participated in a national “take-back’’ day in combination with federal and state authorities.

“This program has been an unqualified success for us and the people of St. Bernard,’’ Sheriff Jack A. Stephens said.

The effort is directed at trying to prevent prescription drug abuse where possible by lowering the chances of old medications being stolen from residences, either by visitors to homes or taken by burglars, and then being sold on the streets. 

Teen-agers addicted to prescription medications often admit they have raided their parents’ medicine cabinet to get drugs or stolen them at the homes of relatives or friends, including such tablets as the pain-killer Vicodin, the anxiety medicine Xanax and Valium.
 
“We encourage individuals to rid their households of unneeded prescription medications as a means to fight misuse of such drugs,’’ Sheriff Stephens said. “Don’t throw them in the trash where others may find them and don’t flush them in the toilet because studies show prescription drugs disposed of that way are already polluting our supply of drinking water.’’

The group Partnership for a Drug Free America has estimated that each day 2,500 youngsters across the nation abuse prescription drugs for the first time, adding teen-agers now abuse prescription medications more than any illegal drugs except marijuana.

Laura Morales, 16-year-old, Chalmette girl who is missing

Oct 1, 2010 - The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office is trying to find a 16-year-old Chalmette girl who has been missing since Sunday, Sept. 26, Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Laura Morales, last seen outside an eastern New Orleans night club about 2 a.m. on the 26th, should call the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501. Authorities don’t have a specific reason to suspect foul play but are trying to locate the girl, Pohlmann said.

Morales, who with her 15-year-old sister left their mother’s home without permission the night of Saturday, Sept. 25, had an argument with the younger girl and ran off from outside the night club and hasn’t been seen since, Pohlmann said.

The 16-year-old phoned her mother the night of Monday, Sept. 27, saying in a whisper that she was okay and urged the mother not to call authorities, then the phone disconnected, Pohlmann said. Morales hasn’t been heard from since, he said.

Shown in silhouette, two St. Bernard Parish residents taking the Sheriff’s Citizens Police Academy course use the firearms simulator, pointing guns as they react to a computerized video showing a man with a baseball bat threatening to hit another man. (2nd Photo) Jeannette Chambon, left, and Dawn Chambon ready guns as they prepare to watch a video in the firearms simulator trailer, as other members of the Citizens Police Academy Class await their turn. (3rd Photo) A woman member of the class reacts as she lifts some of the sheriff’s SWAT team equipment on display. (4th Photo) St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann, right, talks to members of the Citizens Police Academy class about the department’s equipment and training programs, with the sheriff’s “bomb robot’’ for examining suspicious packages in foreground.

Oct 1, 2010 - Janice McLauglin of Chalmette and Tracy Mercier of Meraux aren’t sheriff’s deputies and don’t want to be. But they had real enough-looking weapons in their hands and had to make split-second decisions on whether to use deadly force on a criminal suspect, just as a real officer might have to make.

The St. Bernard residents were members of a 8-week class taking the Sheriff’s Office Police Citizens Academy free course and on Wednesday night, Sept. 29, they were introduced to a firearms simulator, used for actual police training.

Borrowed from the state Attorney General’s Office, the computerized virtual training simulator uses computerized scenarios of situations an officer might face and calls for a quick reaction on handling a criminal suspect, including whether to fire on them.
“This is wild,’’ McLaughlin said of the firearms simulator. “It’s easy to see how a life or death situation can go wrong or right.” She also said she has loved the Citizens Police Academy course. “It makes you proud of your parish’s police officers’’ and their dedication to the job, she said.

Mercier, whose son, Justin, 12, went through the firearms simulator with her, said, “This is great. I never would have gotten this kind of insight into what a police officer does.’’ She said she would recommend the Citizens Police Academy course to all parish residents.

Warren Chambon Sr. said the simulator “makes you think about the stresses’’ involved in police work and the split-second decisions that might have to be made.

Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said the firearms simulator training session, held in a trailer equipped with a giant screen to show films, gives participants a real feel for police work.

Pohlmann said, “This lets residents see what officers may have to deal with and the decisions they may have to make.’’

It’s a popular part of the Citizens Police Academy class which is designed to foster better relations between the community and the Sheriff’s Office, Pohlmann said.

The simulator is inside a 30-foot by 8-foottrailer and is loaned to law enforcement agencies for officer training in which they can view and react to various computerized scenarios such as domestic fights or a  traffic stop where the motorist pulls a weapon or problems at a bar.

On this evening of the Citizens Police Academy course, the 40 St. Bernard residents were also shown specialized sheriff’s equipment including a “bomb robot’’ used to examine suspicious packages, SWAT team equipment and the department’s special truck used in SWAT situations.

Pohlmann explained to class members that St. Bernard, through grants, has been able to acquire an arsenal of equipment to equal or better than many larger law enforcement departments.

Anyone interested in taking the free Citizens Police Academy course the next time it is offered should contact Capt. Charles Borchers at (504) 278-7628.