In the News... August 2012

No evacuation ordered in St. Bernard Parish; WWL-TV web site incorrectly reported residents asked to leave an area

Aug 31, 2012 - Sheriff James Pohlmann said there is no evacuation ordered in St. Bernard Parish, which was incorrectly reported by the WWL-TV web site on Friday afternoon.

The web site said St. Bernard residents were being evacuated east of Braithwaite, which is in Plaquemines Parish, because of a leaking chlorine tank.

Neither the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office or parish government had ordered an evacuation of any type in St. Bernard on Friday, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

St. Bernard Fire Chief Thomas Stone said there is no chlorine leak.

St. Bernard residents evacuated due to leaking chlorine tank

St. Bernard Parish evacuating residents and media in a half mile radius along Highway 39 east of Braithwaite after a leaking chlorine tank was found floating in the Mississippi River.

Officials describe it as a 1200 pound chlorine tank which they have secured to a fence so it is no longer floating free. Hazmat teams just arrived to assess the danger. The tank is near the roadblock on hwy 39 on the east side of Braithwaite and west of St Bernard Park.

Sheriff’s detectives arrest man for looting home of a couple who had evacuated for Hurricane Isaac

Looting suspect John Canale Jr. of Chalmette is placed in an ambulance Guns and other stolen items recovered in search of Canale’s residence. STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTO
after admitted he had taken heroin. STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTO

Aug 30, 2012 - A Chalmette man who had offered a neighbor his cell phone to call police when she came home from evacuating Hurricane Isaac to find she was burglarized, was arrested as the culprit a short time later, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

John Canale Jr., 28, 2905 Palmisano Blvd., will be booked with looting the home of a couple who lived nearby and had left for the hurricane, the sheriff said. He was taken into custody about 1 p.m. Thursday.

But Canale, who will also be booked with possession of firearms by a convicted felon, was taken to a hospital by ambulance for treatment of a possible overdose when he admitted he had used heroin.

Numerous guns stolen in the burglary, along with jewelry, money and other items were recovered in Canale’s residence during a search by sheriff’s detectives, said Sheriff Pohlmann, who said good police work led to the arrest.

Detectives developed Canale as a suspect after talking with him when they were investigating the case.

Hurricane Isaac caused more damage than expected including loss of electricity for thousands of homes but St. Bernard had no flooding despite heavy rain

A camper trailer parked inside the hurricane protection levee system at Verret is blown over during the hurricane. STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTO.

A ldowned light pole on West St. Bernard Highway in Chalmette. STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTO.

Sheriff James Pohlmann meets with Parish President David Peralta to discuss the events of Hurricane Isaac. STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTO.

Lt. Shannon Desroche dries off Lucky, a dog brought in with her owner, Ramona Billot, Sheriff James Pohlmann met with people rescued from Plaquemines Parish, shown here
who was one of the Plaquemines residents rescued and brought to the St. Bernard talking to Charles Dodds, who brought his dog, Boo Boo.
Prison which was used as a shelter.

One of the problems from the storm were downed trees across roads, including this one When the sun came out Thursday, Sonia Gavarrete of Chalmette, in the background,
on East St. Bernard High in the oak grove at Violet. came out to take a walk along Jean Lafitte Parkway with Erica Alfaro, who is pushing
the stroller carrying baby Christina Fernandez. With them is their dog, Trixie. “We’ve
been in the house two days. It’s great to see the sun come out,’’ said Gavarrete.

Military trucks prepare to take out Plaquemines Parish residents who were rescued Sheriff's deputies Tommy Lala and Johnny Casetra, about to go on patrol Wednesday
from their homes by St. Bernard sheriff's deputies and others after a breach in the in their rain gear.
Caernarvon Canal levee.

A tree blows down onto power lines at Center Street and West Judge Perez Drive in A tree uprooted in Arabi.
Arabi, causing a small fire in the attic of a house.

Aug 29, 2012 - Hurricane Isaac, a Category 1 hurricane but one packed with rains of more than a foot, left a definite impression on St. Bernard Parish and other parishes in the New Orleans area. It left thousands of homes without electricity – some with structural damage - and numerous downed trees, power lines and fences.

But fortunately for St. Bernard, Sheriff Jsmes Pohlmann said, there was no flooding inside the hurricane levee protection system despite the heavy rains,

“We didn’t expect this much trouble from a Category 1 hurricane,” Pohlmann said. “But we came away with fewer problems that many other parishes and fortunately there weren’t any reports of injuries from the storm.’’

There were numerous downed trees, tree limbs, power lines and debris strewn about roads by the winds. Parish government crews were already working to remove downed trees and eliminate debris.

Sheriff’s deputies, along with the parish Fire Department and National Guard personnel, also helped Plaquemines Parish authorities rescue more than 100 people from severely flooded homes in the Braithwaite area on the East Bank of Plaquemines early Wednesday after a breach in the Caernarvon Canal.

Many of the residents, some carrying pets, were brought to the St. Bernard Parish Prison and given shelter until they could make plans to go to the homes of friends or family.

Also, temporary quarters being used for St. Bernard’s 34th Judicial District Court on West Judge Perez Drive while repairs are made to the old Courthouse sustained major damage to a roof overnight Tuesday. That caused rainwater damage to several courtrooms and the district attorney’s office.

Court isn’t expected to be held through the Labor Day holiday on Monday, officials said.

There were also several fires during Isaac, which was downgraded to a Tropical Storm on Wednesday afternoon. At least one was related to the storm when winds blew down a tree on a power line, starting an attic fire to a house at Center Street and West Judge Perez Drive in Arabi. Firefighters responded quickly and no one was injured.

Pohlmann said he was pleased that there was much cooperation between parish government, including President David Peralta and the Parish Council, and the Sheriff’s Offiice, in the period leading up to the hurricane and during the actual experience.

Peralta said that despite the electricity loss and other problems, St. Bernard’s reaction to the storm “was extremely successful.’’

He said, “Obviously the federal risk reduction levee system around St. Bernard worked very well. There was no flooding’’ inside the levee system and water went out quickly outside the levee system.’’

Peralta also emphasized the good cooperation between parish entities, especially government and the Sheriff’s Office, which worked together on deciding curfews and shared resources. “I think cooperation helps put the people of the parish at ease.’’

St. Bernard Sheriff announces parishwide curfew from 8 p.m. today to 6 p.m. Wednesday because of expected heavy rains and wind from Hurricane Isaac; Curfew in effect now for areas outside hurricane levee system which was ordered evacuated Monday

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Deputy Jeff Kinney talks with residents going outside the Verret levee in eastern St. Bernard Parish on Monday night, hours before the floodgate there was set to be closed.. STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTO.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Deputy Jeff Kinney talks with residents going outside the Verret levee in eastern St. Bernard Parish on Monday night, hours before the floodgate there was set to be closed.. STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTO.

Aug 28, 2012 - St. Bernard Parish Sheriff James Pohlmann has announced a parishwide curfew from 8 p.m. today to 6 p.m. Wednesday because of expected heavy rains and wind from Isaac, which was elevated to a hurricane today.

Also, the curfew went into effect immediately and will be in effect for more than 24 hours for areas outside the hurricane protection levee system in eastern St. Bernard, which Parish President David Peralta ordered a mandatory evacuation on Monday, Pohlmann said.

“We will begin a curfew at 8 p.m. inside the levee system, which gives any businesses still open time to take care of customers who need items in preparation for the hurricane,’’ Pohlmann said.

But a curfew will be in effect at 8 p.m. tonight and all day Wednesday to 6 p.m. “out of concern for public safety’’ as St. Bernard Parish experiences heavy rains and winds from Hurricane Isaac, the sheriff said.

Rains of 13-18 inches are possible over the next several days, , according to the National Weather Service, which would cause street flooding, Pohlmann said. Combined with winds that could be 80 mph it creates a situation” where we don’t want anyone on the streets,’’ the sheriff said.

Sheriff Pohlmann said he understands. “There is a level of anxiety created when a hurricane is coming so close to the parish. After our experience with Hurricane Katrina, no one wants to go through it again.’’

He added, “And it raises the anxiety level higher when this hurricane is making landfill on the anniversary of Katrina, further bringing up memories of that tragedy for our parish.

“Good luck to everyone affected by Hurricane Isaac.’’

“The Sheriff’s Office is cooperating with Parish President Peralta and the Parish Council and are prepared for the storm,” the sheriff said.

“We have everything in place and everyone has their assignment,’’ he said of deputies.

Sheriff’s deputies will continue to patrol, assisted by the Louisiana National Guard which will provide high-water vehicles in St. Bernard, Sheriff Pohlmann said. Deputies were instructed, he said, that while on patrol in subdivisions they should drive slowly through water to make sure they don’t create higher water for resident’ homes.

Wind was up to nearly 50 mph at Shell Beach in easternmost St. Bernard late Tuesday and water was rising on the roadways also outside the levee system.

STORM UPDATE: St. Bernard Parish Government calls for mandatory evacuation of residents living outside the Hurricane Protection Levee in the eastern-most part of parish

Sheriff James Pohlmann is interviewed by the media outside the area where sandbags were being given away, as drivers line up to get the bags. STEVE CANNIZARO


St. Bernard Parish Prison work crews, supervised by Sheriff’s Dep. Brian Cadzow, load sandbags into vehicles at the sheriff’s sandbag barn at the rear of the Port of St. Bernard on Monday as residents took advantage of the offer to get the bags for protection of their homes and businesses. STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTO

Aug 27, 2012 - St. Bernard Parish President David Peralta has called for a mandatory evacuation of residents living outside the Hurricane Protection Levee in the eastern-most part of the parish because of the likelihood of rising water from Tropical Storm Isaac.

The Sheriff’s Office has established monitoring of the roadway at Verret near the floodgate in eastern St. Bernard Parish, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

The St. Bernard Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness is in full operation and will remain open until all weather associated threats have diminished. Residents may call the St. Bernard OEP Office at 504-278-4268.

Both Pohlmann and Peralta had urged residents who have property and boats outside the hurricane protection levee to secure what they had to to and get out before water started to rise.

The sheriff said the parish can likely expect heavy rains that will make driving difficult and dangerous and he urged residents who are riding out the storm to stay inside once heavier wind and rains begin, unless absolutely necessary.

Personnel from the Louisiana National Guard will have heavy-water units in St. Bernard to assist law enforcement in the parish, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

The Sheriff’s Office gave out thousands of sandbags at its sandbag barn at the rear of the Port of St. Bernard to parish residents and businesses on Monday,. The line of vehicles to get the bags of sand stretched out massively.

Sheriff Pohlmann, who was on the scene for a while as he went from one place to another,, said residents have come to use sandbags for both protecting low spots from water and for propping doors to prevent them from being damaged by wind.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office to give out sandbags to parish residents or business from noon to 6 p.m. today at the rear of the Port of St. Bernard in Chalmette

Aug 27, 2012 - Sheriff James Pohlmann said the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office is giving out free sandbags from noon to 6 p.m. today to parish residents and businesses at its sandbag barn in the old Kaiser facility at the rear of the Port of St. Bernard in Chalmette.

Pohlmann said, “We have some 35,000 sandbags that have been pre-made by prison work crews and are stockpiled at the rear of the Port at our sandbag barn and we will give out up to 15 sandbags per resident or business from noon to 6 p.m.”

Motorists can enter the road to the port off West St. Bernard Highway at Keane Drive, next to the old Kaiser smokestack, and follow the road to the rear of the port, near the Mississippi River levee.

Sheriff’s deputies will be there to assist people, Pohlmann said.
People should be prepared to show they are a resident of St. Bernard or have a business here, Pohlmann said.

St. Bernard Parish President Peralta declares State of Emergency ahead of Tropical Storm Isaac; Sheriff Pohlmann also monitoring storm and S.O. staff met Sunday and will do so again on Monday morning

(Left) St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann intensely watches a storm track of Tropical Storm Isaac at a Sheriff’s Office staff meeting Sunday in which the sheriff and staff took part in a conference call with the National Weather Service. STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTO. (Right) A computerized view of various models of the track of Tropical Storm Isaac, expected to become a hurricane, that was shown to Sheriff’s Office staffers.

Aug 26, 2012 - St. Bernard Parish President David E. Peralta issued an Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency as a result of the forecasted conditions of Tropical Storm Isaac.

Sheriff James Pohlmann also is monitoring the storm and the Sheriff’s Office command staff Sunday afternoon and will do so again Monday morning at 10 a,m,, the sheriff said.

President Peralta stated the parish officials are in constant communications with the National Weather Service and surrounding key agencies to monitor the current weather situation. Pohlmann said the Sheriff’s Office is taking part in meetings with the parish government Office of Emergency Preparedness and participated in a telephone conference with the National Weather Service, along with parish officials on Sunday afternoon.

No mandatory evacuation has been called in St. Bernard as of Sunday night. Isaac is expected to become a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico and the National Weather Service was forecasting Sunday the storm making landfall on the Mississippi Gulf Coast late Tuesday night or Wednesday morning but the possible track is still fluid.

Heavy rains are likely.

Residents who intend to leave should do so before traffic jams become a concern.

Peralta and Pohlmann urged St. Bernard residents to continue monitoring the weather and media updates. “Although the integrity of our levee system is better than it has ever been, we want citizens to implement their individual emergency preparation plans,” Peralta said.

Currently, St. Bernard Parish is operating at full drainage and pumping capacity. President Peralta said “Drainage canals have been pumped down to add additional storage capacity.” Public Works’ crews are implementing all emergency preparation plans and pre-staging additional pumps for problem areas, he said.

The St. Bernard Parish Emergency Operations Center will be in full operation as of 8:00 a.m. Monday morning, Aug. 27, 2012 and shall remain open until the termination of the State of Emergency.

Pohlmann and Pohlmann encouraged people to secure items on their their property as soon as possible and anyone owning boats in the eastern part of the parish outside the hurricane protection levee system should secure them no later than Monday afternoon. Marine traffic should seek safe harbor.

Also, pick up any debris that may cause obstructions to the drainage catch basins in their neighborhoods.

Residents can call Emergency Operations Center at 504-278-4268 or stay tuned to local media for updates as well as frequently checking the Sheriff’s Office web ste at www.sbso.org or parish government’s website at www.sbpg.net.

Deputy Chief Harold Hughes retires after 28 years as Internal Affairs head for S.O.; Was retired FBI agent when he began in 1984 with Sheriff Stephens’ 1st term

(Left) Retiring Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs head Deputy Chief Harold Hughes in his office, with the plaques he received from Sheriff Pohlmann, one listing the names of St. Bernard sheriff’s deputies who graduated the FBI National Training Academy and the other for his years of service. STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTO. (Right) Deputy Chief Harold Hughes, who has handled the Internal Affairs duties of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office for 28 years, holds two plaques presented him by Sheriff James Pohlmann at a retirement ceremony. STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTO.

Aug 24, 2012 - It became a phrase Harold Hughes was known for, saying numerous times over the years in meetings with senior staff at the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office: “Tell your guys to work smart.”

As a Deputy Chief in charge of Internal Affairs, for 28 years Hughes has interviewed, checked backgrounds and evaluated applicants for the Sheriff’s Office and also investigated any citizen complaints about their treatment by sheriff’s deputies.

He said what he meant by advising officers to work smart was to “treat people they came in contact with like you would want to be treated by them.”

In other words, be courteous, don’t curse people even if they have committed crimes and don’t use excessive force in making arrests. That’s the way to stay out of trouble while still being a hard-nosed sheriff’s deputy with your eyes open for law-breakers, Hughes said.

A soft-talking, retired 25-year FBI agent who also worked for two years before that as a policeman in Columbus, Ms., in the late 1950s, Hughes is now retiring from the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office.

What began as an intended short stay to help new Sheriff Jack A. Stephens organize his department in 1984, turned into a contract renewed each year to be head of Internal Affairs.

Stephens took office for his first term as sheriff on July 1, 1984, and Hughes was there ever since.

Sheriff Stephens didn’t run for a new term last year and Hughes is retiring under new Sheriff James Pohlmann who took office July 1.

David Welker, who recently retired as head of the FBI’s New Orleans office, will do Internal Affairs work on a contract with the Sheriff’s Office, Pohlmann said.

At a staff meeting on Aug. 23, Sheriff Pohlmann praised Hughes’ work as helping bring a higher standard of expected performance by sheriff’s deputies and rank.

“He has provided the platform to build this department,’’ the sheriff said.

In a signature action, Hughes - through his association with his former agency – helped get the FBI to accept for the first time a ranking deputy from St. Bernard into the prestigious FBI National Training Academy class in Virginia.

The first appointment from St. Bernard was Dep. Richard Bersuder in 1986.

Now, 26 years later, the Sheriff’s Office has had 17 deputies graduate from the FBI National Training Academy, including Sheriff Pohlmann, and an 18th is scheduled to go there in September, Capt. Richard Jackson.

The sheriff said he sees the number from the department as quite an accomplishment for one the size of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office. Nearly the entire command staff of the Sheriff’s Office is now made up of graduates from the FBI Training Academy.

Pohlmann presented Hughes with two plaques, one for his service to the Sheriff’s Office and one listing the names of St. Bernard officers who graduated from the national training academy.

Hughes said he was grateful for the honors. But he also recalled he “didn’t really want to come here in 1984.’’

He had retired in January 1984 from the FBI – where one if his investigations had included the well known Brilab case of the late 1970s through early 80s in which then-rackets figure and now deceased Carlos Marcello was convicted and sentenced to prison.

Hughes also had begun doing work for the Jefferson District Attorney’s Office, which he continued to do for 13 years while also on contract at the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office.

His former FBI boss asked him to help the new sheriff in St. Bernard reorganize the department but he didn’t really want to do it, he said.

Sheriff Stephens, however, talked him into doing assessments of the deputies on the department in 1984 and later the sheriff asked him to stay on as head of Internal Affairs on a contract basis. That went on for the entire tenure of Stephens’ seven terms in office.

“I didn’t know much about St. Bernard’’ when he started at the Sheriff’s Office, said Hughes, who has lived in Algiers with his wife

But he said he came to appreciate and understand the close-knit atmosphere of the parish and its residents.

“I like them.”

Two male teen-agers, 17 and 15, booked in numerous vehicle burglaries that happened Aug. 18 in Arabi

August 21, 2012 - Two male teen-agers, 17 and 15, have been arrested in connection with 13 vehicle burglaries that happened in Old Arabi, between St. Claude Avenue and the Mississippi River, in the early morning hours of Saturday, Aug. 18, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

A witness who heard noise after 4 a.m. came outside and saw vehicles being burglarized, saw a suspect and called the Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies arrived and found Michael Staes, 17, who has relatives in St. Bernard but has been living in the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans, hiding behind a garbage can in the area of the burglaries, Sheriff Pohlmann said. I Staes was carrying on him several items reported taken in burglaries, the sheriff said. Recovered property included a phone, a bracelet, silver coins and other items.

Staes, who just turned 17 and has no previous criminal record as an adult, was initially booked with six counts of vehicle burglary but seven additional counts have been added after he admitted to the string of burglaries, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

He said Staes was being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of bond of $69,000 but the bond will likely go higher when he appears before a judge on the added burglary counts.

Also, further investigation by sheriff’s detectives led to a 15-year Chalmette boy, whose name wasn’t released because he is a minor. The teen-ager was also booked on 13 counts of vehicle burglary and was placed in the parish Juvenile Detention Center, Pohlmann said.

The sheriff noted that nearly all of the vehicles involved were left unlocked and again urged residents to lock their vehicle at night, even in their driveways.

Some people have been known to walk down streets at night pulling on door handles, hoping to find unlocked vehicles with valuables inside. Sheriff Pohlmann also suggests gun owners who normally have weapons in their vehicles for protection to take them inside at night and lock them up.

“Don’t make it easy for thieves to take your property and especially try to prevent stolen guns from hitting the streets where they can be used in other crimes,”” Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Anchor News 509

Knights of Columbus in Chalmette Give Awards for Sheriff’s Deputy, Firefighter and Paramedic of the Year; Det. Sgt. Paul Miller awarded from S.O.

The Knights of Columbus, Rummel Council 5747 in Chalmette, presented awards Aug. 19 for Firefighter of the Year to Capt. Mike Binder of the St. Bernard Fire Department, Sheriff’s Deputy of the Year to Det. Sgt. Paul Miller of the Sheriff’s Office and Paramedic of the Year to Jay Authement of Acadian Ambulance Service. They are shown from left with Deputy Grand Knight Cisco Gonzales and Grand Knight Rubin Saavedra. STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTO.

From left, Maj. Robert McNab, Det. Capt. Mark Jackson, and Deputy of the Year Det. Sgt. Paul Miller, with Deputy Grand Knight Cisco Gonzales and Grand Knight Rubin Saavedra. STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTO.


Det. Sgt. Paul Miller with his wife, April, and children. STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTO.

August 20, 2012 - Archbishop Rummel Council 5747 of the Knights of Columbus in Chalmette gave awards for Sheriff’s Deputy, Firefighter and Paramedic of the Year during a banquet on Sunday, Aug. 19 in its council building on Paris Road.

Sheriff’s Det. Sgt. Paul Miller, a 14-year veteran of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office, was Deputy of the Year. Capt. Mike Binder, a 17-year veteran of the St. Bernard Fire Department and previously served five years with the New Orleans Fire Department, was named Firefighter of the Year.

Also, Jay Authement, who started in 1979 with the then-St. Bernard Sheriff’s Ambulance Service and has worked with Acadian eight years since it was bought out by Priority EMS when he was with them, was the Paramedic of the Year.

Grand Knight Rubin Saavedra, present with Deputy Grand Knight Cisco Gonzales, said the Knights of Columbus gives the awards because the group is dedicated to helping the community and, “We want to recognize people who have given of themselves for the good of everyone.”

Miller, who has worked in the Corrections Division as well as the Patrol Division before becoming a detective, is known for an ability to solve burglary cases and has also worked homicides and a home invasion in which an arrest was made.

Sheriff James Pohlmann said Miller does a good job for the department and is deserving of the honor.

Miller said he appreciates the award, saying “It’s a reflection of the vast cooperation within our department and from the public. It takes courage for people to come forward and talk about what they know about crimes’’ so that an arrest can be made.

When an individual can and does give information, Miller said, “I listen and I’m not afraid to act on it.’’

Miller’s wife, April, and children attended the event and the Sheriff’s Office was also represented by his superiors, Maj. Robert McNab, who commands the Criminal Instigations Bureau, and Det. Capt. Mark Jackson.

Deputy Fire Chief Glenn Ellis also attended the ceremony, as well as from Acadian, Operations Supervisor Tyra Haynes and Kelly Legania, Operations Manager.

U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise visits St. Bernard Parish, meets with Parish President and the Sheriff

U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise of Jefferson Parish visited St. Bernard Parish on Wednesday, Aug. 15, taking part in a reception and a dinner in Chalmette. He is shown discussing federal issues affecting St. Bernard with Parish President David Peralta and Sheriff James Pohlmann. Photo by Lenor Duplessis.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office seeks names of two women who bought $4,000 in gift cards with stolen credit cards from purses taken in public buildings


August 16, 2012 - The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office is trying to identify two women who bought $4,000 in gift cards with stolen credit cards from purses taken in two public buildings in Chalmete, Sheriff James Pohlmann said. Anyone with information on their names and whereabouts should call Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 or the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501 and they could be eligible for a reward if arrests are made. One purse was stolen Aug. 2 at a health clinic in Chalmette and the other on Aug. 10 at a public school building, Pohlmann said. Credit cards were used to purchase $4,000 in gift cards at department stores in Slidell and Waveland, Ms., the sheriff said. Video surveillance cameras captured images of the women walking in one store.

New Orleans man captured after being sought for robberies at pharmacies in St. Bernard and N.O.


Christopher Dunbar, 42, of New Orleans, arrested for two robberies he which he stole from pharmacies in St. Bernard and New Orleans

August 14, 2012 - A man wanted for robberies of pharmacies in St. Bernard Parish and New Orleans in which he stole money from cash registers was arrested Tuesday by a U.S. Marshal’s Service fugitive task force which included officers from both parishes involved.

Christopher Dunbar, 42, who is on parole until 2024 for a past armed robbery conviction, was arrested in an eastern New Orleans pool hall and was to be booked in New Orleans and St. Bernard Parish with simple robbery, St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Dunbar stole money from a cash register on Aug. 6 at a Walgreen’s at Elysian Fields Avenue at Gentilly Boulevard in New Orleans and on Aug. 8 at a Walgreen’s at Judge Perez Drive at Paris Road in Chalmette, authorities said.

Warrants alleging simple robbery were issued for Dunbar’s arrest in both parishes.

A witness got a license plate number of the vehicle that fled after the Aug. 6 robbery in New Orleans and it was traced to Dunbar’s mother, who is the owner. That led to identification of Dunbar.

Also, the clerks in the stores who were working the registers during the robberies have both identified Dunbar from photo line-ups, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

In both cases, he was in line at a register behind others and when the register was opened he forced his way past them, reached over and stole money and fled. No weapon was displayed.

Pohlmann said that in the Chalmette robbery, which happened about 2:30 a.m., a second man described as older than Dunbar was waiting outside and fled with him in a vehicle. The other man hasn’t been identified.

Sheriff James Pohlmann and Parish President David Peralta were guest speakers at the Oak Ridge Park Civic Association meeting

August 14, 2012 - Sheriff James Pohlmann and Parish President David Peralta were guest speakers at the Oak Ridge Park Civic Association meeting in Violet the night of Monday, Aug. 13, held at Christian Fellowship Worship Center. The sheriff and president answered questions from a crowd of about 20 members of the group, who expressed concerns to Sheriff Pohlmann about a number of topics including speeding in the neighborhood, people loitering in some areas and trespassers going into houses still abandoned since Hurricane Katrina. They also asked President Peralta about blighted housing, drainage problems and the need for No Truck Route signs at the two entrances to the subdivision. The sheriff also told the group a Tax Compliance Division, headed by Capt. Wayne Babin, has been set up to go to commercial enterprises to ensure they have an occupation license and are collecting and paying sales taxes to the parish. Babin can be reached at 278-7676. Shown, President Peralta and Sheriff Pohlmann talk with members. STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTOS.

Sheriff Pohlmann visits Arc Center in Chalmette, which provides activities for intellectually disabled adults


Adults who attend the Arc Center and are part of the Kiwanis Aktion Club, with Kiwanis members Polly Campbell, at far left, Judy Hoffmeister, at far right, and at left in back, Robby Showalter. In uniform are Capt. Charles Borchers and Sheriff James Pohlmann. Kneeling at right on the front row is Kristi Andre, program coordinator for the Arc Center. STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTO.

Standing from left, Capt. Charles Borchers, Polly Campbell, Judy Hoffmeister and Sheriff Pohlmann observe a meeting of the Arc Center Aktion Club. STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTO.

Sheriff James Pohlmann meets and speaks with adults who attend the Alex Boudreaux, visitor to the Arc and son of Arc Center volunteer Polly Arc Center in Chalmette. They were holding a meeting of their Aktion Club, Campbell, holds up the American flag for the Pledge of Allegiance at the sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of St. Bernard Parish. STEVE CANNIZARO start of the program as attendees stand. STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTO. PHOTO.
August 11, 2012 - St. Bernard Parish Sheriff James Pohlmann was heartily greeted when he and Community Relations head Capt. Charles Borchers recently visited the Arc of Greater New Orleans center in Chalmette, which provides a support system for intellectually disabled adults in St. Bernard and part of New Orleans. The center opened in the last year in the rebuilt former rectory of the now closed Prince of Peace Catholic Church at 3700 Jean Lafitte Parkway and helps more than 20 adults who range in age from their 20s to 70. They spend the day at the center Monday through Friday, taking part in supervised activities including community service projects. “We are so glad to be here and see what you are doing,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said to the group, some of whom wanted to pose for photos with the sheriff. “We are reaching out to different parts of the community.” He told them they have a role to play in helping keep the parish safe by telling someone if they see something wrong or suspicious in their neighborhoods or see someone who has been injured, so the Sheriff’s Office can be alerted. During the sheriff’s visit, the adults were holding a meeting of their Aktion Club, a special arm of the local Kiwanis Club. Taking part in the Aktion Club were civic leaders Polly Campbell, former clerk of the Parish Council, and Judy Hoffmeister, a former Council member - both of whom helped bring the Arc Center to Chalmette - and Billy Showalter, President of the Knights of Nemesis Social Club and Carnival Parade. All three are members of the St. Bernard Kiwanis Club. Kristi Andre is program coordinator for the Arc Center in Chalmette.

Man arrested with $5,400 worth of steroids in 18 boxes of one vial each; Woman booked with 7 bags of marijuana and $1,833 cash in three stacks

Mark Fortuna, arrested with $5,400 worth of steroids in St. Bernard Parish Ashleigh Sosa of Destrahan, booked with 7 bags of marijuana and $1,833 cash in three stacks

August 10, 2012 - A Meraux man was arrested with $5,400 worth of anabolic steroids in 18 boxes of one vial each hidden in his home after sheriff’s narcotics officers were called there on a possible overdose of another man who had been there but left, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Mark Fortuna, 28, 3001 St. Marie, was booked with possession of a Schedule III controlled dangerous substance, an anabolic steroid known as Sustanon 250.

Fortuna, also booked with probation violation, was being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of bond set at $8,000. He has a probation hold from Louisiana state probation officials that would prevent his release on bond.

Officers of the Narcotics Unit attempted to make contact at Fortuna’s residence on July 25 to check out the report of someone possibly overdosing and made a forced entry when no one answered the door, Pohlmann said.

When they got inside they found Fortuna, who appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance. He said the person that someone reported may be overdosing there had left with another man.

While some officers secured the scene, others went to the home of the man they sought and after finding him there also apparently under the influence of a drug, they saw drug paraphernalia in the residence booked him and another man with possession of the paraphernalia, Pohlmann said. Medical help was also called in.

At Fortuna’s residence, Louisiana probation and parole agents arrived to conduct a compliance search of the home, with deputies on the scene, because Fortuna is on probation, the sheriff said.

An agent located the 18 boxes of steroids worth about $5,400 in the residence and Fortuna was arrested.

The sheriff said that in an unrelated case, Ashleigh Sosa, 25, of Destrehan was booked the night of July 26 with possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Seven small bags of marijuana and three stacks of cash containing $1,833 were found in the vehicle when she was stopped by Sheriff’s Dep. Tommy Lala for a traffic violation.

Sosa also had several hand-rolled cigarettes of marijuana and numerous small clear plastic bags used in distribution of drugs.

She was booked into St. Bernard Parish Prison but has been released on bond. The bond amount wasn’t available.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office and NOPD seek man who committed “simple robbery” in two pharmacies, reaching in to steal money from cash registers

August 9, 2012 - A New Orleans man who committed what is called “simple robbery” recently in pharmacies in both New Orleans and Chalmette, reaching in and stealing money from cash registers while in line, is wanted by both New Orleans police and the St. Bernard Parish sheriff’s Office.

Christopher Dunbar, 42, who is on parole until 2024 for a past armed robbery conviction, wore the same clothing while stealing money from a cash register on Aug. 6 at a Walgreen’s at Elysian Fields Avenue at Gentilly Boulevard in New Orleans and on Aug. 8 at a Walgreen’s at Judge Perez Drive at Paris Road in Chalmette, authorities said.

Warrants alleging simple robbery were issued for Dunbar’s arrest in New Orleans and Chalmette.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Dunbar, last seen driving a gray-colored Chevy Malibu taken from his mother in New Orleans, should call Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 and they could be eligible for a reward if it leads to his arrest, St. Bernard Sheriff Pohlmann said. The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office can be reached at 271-2501.

Pohlmann said his department, NOPD and Walgreen’s security officials are working together to identify and find Dunbar before anyone is hurt in another robbery attempt.

A witness got a license plate number of the vehicle that fled after the Aug. 6 robbery in New Orleans and it was traced to Dunbar’s mother who is the owner. That led to identification of Dunbar.

Later, the clerk’s in the stores who were working at the registers during the robberies both identified Dunbar from photo line-ups, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

In both cases, he was in line at a register behind others and when the register was opened he forced his way past them, reached over and stole money and fled. No one saw a weapon.

Pohlmann said that in the Chalmette robbery, which happened about 2:30 a.m., a second man described as older than Dunbar and with gray facial hair was seen standing outside the store. A witness said Dunbar ran out and screamed to the other man, “Let’s go man, we gotta go,’’ and both fled in the gray Malibu, heading eastbound on Judge Perez Drive.

With schools starting Monday, Sheriff’s Office asks drivers to think safety: Obey school zone speed limits, watch for students near schools and buses picking up or unloading; Buckle up kids in proper type seats

August 7, 2012 - With St. Bernard Parish schools starting Monday, Aug. 13, the Sheriff’s Office is reminding drivers to think safety, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

“Obey school zone speed limits in the mornings and afternoons,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “Watch for students walking in the areas near schools and remember to buckle up your kids in proper seating for their age when driving them to or from school.’’

Be prepared for school buses to stop to pick up or unload students.

Also, the Sheriff’s Office will have extra patrols by deputies in school areas the first week and drivers should be cautious regarding the construction that has been going on at many schools in the parish, the sheriff said.

“It is so important for drivers to be aware of school zones, children walking to or from school and school buses stopping to pick up or drop off kids,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “You don’t want to have a mental lapse and make a mistake you would regret forever.”

Most school zone speed limits are 20 MPH, Sheriff Pohlmann said, and drivers who know where schools are located should start slowing down well before they reach a school zone.

Also, remember to buckle children in seats appropriate for their ages, the sheriff said.

“The back seat is the safest place seat for young kids,’’ he said. “Auto accidents are leading cause of death of children 5-15 years of age. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has said children up to age 12 are safest riding in the back seat.

Young children should be in rear-facing seats and never place a rear-facing infant seat on the front passenger seat because serious injury could occur if the airbag deploys and hits the child.

For full child passenger safety information, including where to find safety seat inspection stations, go online to www.nhtsa.gov to learn more.

N.O. man arrested after deputies find thousands of DVDs of movies and musical CDs he “burned’’ for sale in an SUV rigged to download from the Internet


Ronald Johnson, 40, booked in St. Bernard with making unauthorized copied DVD movies and music CDs

August 3, 2012 - A New Orleans man who had a movie and music factory on wheels was arrested when St. Bernard Parish sheriff’s deputies found thousands of DVDs of movies and musical CDs he “burned’’ for sale in an SUV he rigged to download from the Internet, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Ronald Johnson, 40, 5102 E. Nemours St., was booked July 29 with making for distribution unauthorized movie and sound reproductions and with possessing equipment for making unauthorized reproductions. He has been released on bond from St. Bernard Parish Prison but the bond amount wasn’t available.

Johnson showed Sheriff’s Deputy James Norsworthy and Sgt. Marco Spicuzza 1,643 copied DVDs and about 1,200 copied CDs he had in his vehicle – along with equipment for burning them after downloading from the Internet, the sheriff said. There were also numerous blanks DVDs and CDs in the vehicle.

The officers had answered a call about a suspicious person in the parking area of the sheriff’s Communications Center and the Palms Casino in Chalmette about 2:30 a.m.

Johnson, who gave permission to search the vehicle, acknowledged he was downloading movies and music from a web site on the Internet and selling copies to customers he had, Sheriff Pohlmann said. He said he kept portable DVD players in the vehicle so buyers could preview the quality of movies they bought them.

Johnson also said he sold movies currently out in release at theaters as well as others.

Sheriff’s Office names head of tax compliance division to assist in collection of occupational licenses, sales and use taxes from commercial enterprises


Capt. Wayne Babin, named head of tax compliance division at St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office

August 1, 2012 - St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office Capt. Wayne J. Babin has been named head of a tax compliance division to assist in collection of an occupational license, sales and use taxes from commercial enterprises, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

The appointment of Babin, who has been with the Sheriff’s Office since 1978, is effective immediately.

Babin’s duties will include visiting commercial establishments conducting businesses in the parish to ensure compliance with proper reporting procedures and payment of their occupational license and sales and use taxes.

He will also assist businesses in complying with applicable laws and regulations, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

For more information or to ask questions, contact Babin at (504) 278-7676.

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