Mrs. Jindal makes a point with several students. STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTOS

Jan. 31, 2012- Supriya Jindal, wife of Gov. Jindal, came to St. Bernard Parish on Tuesday, Jan. 31, to visit school children at Lynn Oaks School in the Caernarvon area and announce her foundation will award interactive technology for its first- and second-grade classrooms.

She also met with Principal Kim Duplantier, Sheriff-elect James Pohlmann and representatives from parish government.

The Supriya Jindal Foundation for Louisiana’s Children awarded a package for each of the classrooms consisting of a laptop, a Promethean interactive whiteboard with speaker system – an interactive response system that allows students to actively participate in a lesson – and training for all teachers.

It was the first such award by her foundation in St. Bernard Parish and 267 classrooms in Louisiana have now received them.

Mrs. Jindal said her foundation is active in helping to get them out in the state because, she said, “interactive whiteboards are something we are beginning to see transform education across our country.’’ She added, “A study recently released shows a 17-29 percent gain in academic achievement in classrooms with such systems versus classrooms without.’’

They are a tool that seems to hold children’s attention, making it easier or them to concentrate on the work at hand, Mrs. Jindals said as she spoke to children in a classroom setting, showing how the system works.

She continously stressed to kids the importance of math and science in practical applications, making the presentation easy to understand by asking them if they are Saints fans and telling them quarterback Drew Brees uses math and science on the field each week.

She explained that the quarterback, when passing, needed to determine how much distance, force and trajectory was involved in completing a pass to a receiver in order to throw it accurately. The children seemed to grasp what she said, making comments back to her in response.

Jan. 31, 2012 - St. Bernard Parish sheriff’s detectives, working with New Orleans police, arrested three Arabi men for possession of a stolen laptop computer and other property taken in a robbery in the French Quarter the night of Jan. 26, Sheriff-elect James Pohlmann said.

NOPD had information the stolen property might be at a location in Arabi and, with sheriff’s detectives, went there early Jan. 27 and questioned residents of an apartment in the 1300 block of Mehle Avenue, Pohlmann said.

He said items stolen in the robbery in New Orleans were found in the apartment and three men living there were booked with possession of stolen property. There was no other inormation on the robbery.

Arrested were two brothers, Daniel Blackledge, 25, and David Blackledge, 19, and Torrey Hooks, 20, and all listed 1308 Mehle, Apt. A, as their address.

In an unrelated case, Rodney Sanchez, 56, and Jeremiah Blaise, 18, both of 3114 Stacie Drive, Violet, were booked Jan. 26 with theft, possession of stolen property and criminal trespassing after they were caught stealing about $500 in metal products from a resident’s back yard in Violet. They said they intended to sell the items to a scrap yard and contended they didn’t know it belonged to anyone.

The two were stopped in a vehicle containing the metal by deputies only a short time after a witness reported seeing them in a residential yard, Pohlmann said. He added it shows arrests can be made quickly when a timely call is made to the Sheriff’s Ofice when suspicious activity is seen.

Selvin Torres Rodriguez, 26, in handcuffs second from left, and Darbin Maurisio Santos Castro, 24, next to him, were sentenced in St. Bernard Parish Jan. 24 to prison terms of 40 years and 50 years, respectively, for the July 2009 robbery of the Gold Star Diner. They are shown being taken into St. Bernard Parish Prison in September 2009 after their capture in Texas. With them are Det. Lt. Richard Mendel, left, and Cpl. Leander Morgan, right, of the sheriff’s Special Investigations Division. Steve Cannizaro Photo.

Two Honduran immigrants, Darbin Maurisio Santos-Casto and Selvin Torres Rodriguez, were sentenced in Chalmette Jan. 24 to 40 and 50 years respectively for tying up a father, a daughter and a retired FBI agent and holding guns to their heads during an attempted robbery at a diner in July 2009.

Santos-Castro was found guilty Jan. 20 of two counts of armed robbery at the Gold Star Diner on July 18, 2009, which is now closed directly because the robbery scared family members, they have said.

Rodriguez pleaded guilty to the robbery months ago but wasn’t sentenced until after the trial of Santos-Castro.

Sheriff-elect James Pohlmann said he was pleased by the sentences given by state Distict Judge Perry Nicosia in St. Bernard Parish because it was a heinous crime which likely would have ended in murder if it hadn’t been foiled by the time entrance of customers coming in for lunch at the diner.

Also, Pohlmann said, the Sheriff’s Office “went the extra mile’’ to end up with arrests. After witnesses copied the license plate number of the getaway vehicle, he said, sheriff’s detectives traveled to Houston to investigate the theft of the truck and make sure the vehicle and its occupants would be held if it were stopped by police.

The robbery was foiled by retired FBI Special Aagent John Fleming and retired local television reporter Richard Angelico, who walked in for lunch as the heist was taking place. Angelico got the license number of the getaway vehicle.

The suspects were arrested near San Antonio, Tx., on Aug. 27, 2009, while riding in the same sport utility vehicle used in the robbery, which still had the same plate on it.

During the robbery, victims had guns pulled on them to open a safe.

The heist unraveled when a retired FBI agent Fleming, who had gone to eat lunch at the diner with Angelico and others surprised four men robbing the place when he went to the rear of the building to look for someone to take their orders.

He found four robbers had tied up the owner and were holding his daughter.

The ex-agent was also tied up but managed to free himself enough to run forward to the dining room and, in the confusion, two robbers fled out the front. The other two robbers went out the back of the diner and are still at-large.

A bag of stolen money was left behind and no one was injured.

Richmond Marrero, booked with burglaries in spree of 20 vehicle burglaries

Jan. 26, 2012- Following up on two related probes, St. Bernard Parish sheriff’s detectives and patrol deputies have arrested six young New Orleans men within a 24-hour period, including 4 in a 20-vehicle burglary spree Jan. 25 and two in the recent theft of a 4-wheel all-terrain vehicle, Sheriff-elect James Pohlmann said.

The common thread in the arrests is that all 6 subjects live in the same area of eastern New Orleans and apparently were targeting St. Bernard for thefts and burglaries, Pohlmann said.

“We are getting to the bottom of a plague of thefts of 4-wheel ATVs in recent months and have now four people in custody,’’ Pohlmann said, including the latest two caught the night of Jan. 25, with the help of New Orleans police detectives. Two other men were arrested several weeks for 4-wheeler thefts.

More than 15 4-wheelers have been stolen in St. Bernard in recent months.

“We enjoy a safe community here,’’ Pohlmann said, “and we don’t like it when perpetrators from other parishes come here to commit cimes but we have been successful in catching them.’’

He said it seems crime doesn’t know any boundaries, especiaslly since Hurricane Katrina when roving groups have been known to go from one parish to another looking for crimes of opportunities.

Two 18-year-olds, Jeremiah Washington and Conell Strong, were booked the night of Jan. 25 with theft of a 4-wheeler taken Dec. 14 at a residence in eastern St. Bernard Parish. They are jailed pending an apperance before a judge to have bond set.

Authorities had home surveillance video of the December theft but it wasn’t until the night of the arrests they learned the names of the suspects and where they lived, Pohlmann said.

“All the adults and teen-agers in custody live in the same area of eastern New Orleans and we are finding evidence that 4-wheelers are being stolen from several parishes including St. Bernard and ending up in eastern New Orleans,’’ Pohlmann said.

“We are involved in a joint effort with New Orleans police to try to arrest everyone involved in these rings of thieves and recover 4-wheelers that have been stolen,’’ Pohlmann said. So far, two stolen 4-wheelers have been found but detectives saw evidence in eastern New Orleans of numerous parts for 4-wheelers and an investigation is continuing.

Chief of Detectives Col. John Doran said he believes the arrests in the 4-wheeler thefts “will impact property crimes’’ being committed in St. Bernard.

Also, the night of Jan. 25, Richmond Marrero, 22, was arrested in eastern New Orleans and is believed to have been the one who dropped off three teen-age males who went on a spree of some 20 vehicle burglaries and an attemptef theft of a 4-wheeler in the Meraux area earlier that morning. The three were caught about 6:30 a.m., several hours after the Sheriff’s Office starting receiving calls from witnesses who saw three by patrol deputies.

Marrero is booked with the vehicle burglaries and is jailed without bond, also pending an appearance before a judge.

Darnell Benjamin, 18, and two 15-year-old males whose names weren’t released because they are juveniles were taken into custody, all booked with burglary and possession of stolen property.One juvenile had a home incarceration electronic device on one ankle.

In making the arrests, deputies recovered a stash of stolen property from the vehicles burglaries, including two rifles and scopes, a cross bow, $430 cash, jewelry, a GPS and other items, some in a backpack, Pohlmann said.

Pohlmann said the latest burglaries underscore the need for people to remember to lock their vehicles when they park them overnight. Most of the early morning vehicles burglarized weren’t locked at the time, the sheriff-elect said.

“Lock your cars because burglaries are a crime of opportunity,’’ Pohlmann said. “Don’t let yourself be a victim.’’

Darnell Benjamin, 18, booked with some 20 vehicle burglaries.

Jan. 25, 2012- Three eastern New Orleans teen-age males went on a spree of some 20 vehicle burglaries in St. Bernard Parish early Wednesday morning but were caught by deputies near a school, recovering a stash of stolen property including two rifles and scopes, a cross bow, $430 cash, jewelry and other items, Sheriff-elect James Pohlmann said.

Calls to the Sheriff’s Office about burglaries involving three young men began coming in about 3 a.m. from the Meraux area, Pohlmann said.

He said patrol deputies, alerted by a resident who was a victim of and an attempted theft of a 4-wheel all-terrain vehicle, tracked down and arrested an 18-year-old and two 15-year-olds about 6:45 a.m. Wednesday.

Darnell Benjamin, 18, and the other two whose names weren’t released because they are juveniles, were taken into custody, with the 15-year-olds going to the parish Juvenile Detention Center. One of them had a home incarceration electronic device on one ankle.

Benjamin was booked with burglary, possession of stolen property, attempted theft, contrubuting to the delinquency of the other two and with misrepresening hismself by giving a false name in Parish Prison when initially booked, Pohlmann said.

He said two stolen rifles, a cross bow, $410 cash, an expensive ring, coins, a GPS and other items were recovered, most in a backback.

Sheriff’s detectives, following up on the arrests, were investigating ties to a recent rash of more than 15 thefts of 4-wheelers in St. Bernard, which authorities believe involve young people from eastern New Orleans, where intelligence suggests the vehicles were transported, Pohlmann said.

Two men from eastern New Orleans were arrested two weeks ago on two counts of thefts of 4-wheelers in St. Bernard Parish and one acknowledged involvement in several other thefts.

Pohlmann said the latest burglaries underscore the need for people to remember to lock their vehicles when they park them overnight. Most of the early morning vehicles burglarized weren’t locked at the time, the sheriff-elect said.

“Car burglaries are a crime of opportunity,’’ Pohlmann said. “People make it easier for thieves and burglars when you leave your vehicle unlocked.’’

Assistant store manager Bryant Walker, booked with theft over $5,000                                          Walker’s friend, Travis Nobles, also booked with theft over $5,000

Jan. 24, 2012 - It seemed like it could be a real robbery at a Chalmette supermarket, complete with an assistant manger being struck by a man with a gun and being forced to open a safe.

But St. Bernard sheriff’s detectives quickly found that things didn’t add up in the reported 12:45 a.m. robbery at a Winn-Dixie store on Paris Road, which happened after it had closed for the night, Sheriff-elect James Pohlmann said.

One man who turned out to be a younger friend of the assistant manager was arrested for the crime several hours later, Pohlmann said.

But under investigation, Pohlmann said, both the assistant manager and the friend eventually admitted the robbery was staged in order to steal a substantial amount of money from a store safe.

The store employee, Bryant Walker, 54, of Chalmette, and Travis P. Nobles, 39, of New orleans, who Walker referred to as his “spiritual son“ were both booked with felony theft over $5,000.

Both are being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of bond set at $100,000 each.

The stolen money hasn’t been recovered.

The alleged robbery “just didn’t feel right,’’ Pohlmann said. “Based on the evidence our detectives found I don’t know how the two of them thought they would get away with this.’’

For example, Pohlmann said, investigators learned the assistant manager who claimed robbery owned a van that matched a witness’ description of one seen driven away from a nearby side street after the incident in the store.

Also important, he said, was that the van seen being driving away had left an oil spot at the scene and when detectives went to the manager’s residence there was an oil spot where he normally parked, further tying the getaway vehicle to the assistant manager’s vehicle.

A toy water gun was found near where the van was spotted, which was the thing used to strike Walker by Nobles, authorities said. Also found nearby where the van had been was a store basket used for customers’ young children, which matched the one the “robber’’ used to haul away the money as he left, Pohlmann said.

Also, the store official had said he was outside smoking when a man approached with a gun, but said he never saw what the man looked like.

When a store surveillance camera was examined, it showed the store employee would have had a look at the man despite him saying he couldn’t identify him, Pohlmann said.

Confronted with evidence about the van and from the surveillance camera, Bryant told the Sheriff’s Office his friend, who he called his “spiritual son’’ had his van that night, Pohlmann said.

Hours after his arrest, Nobles gave a statement saying the robbery was staged, Pohlmann said. Questioned again and told what Nobles had said, the assistant manager admitted it also, Pohlmann said.

Jan. 24, 2012 - As part of on-going testing of its readiness capabilities, St. Bernard Parish government’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness will hold a test of its emergency siren system on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at about 1 p. m., parish officials said.

The siren blast will last for approximately three minutes.

This test will also include a broadcast on parish government’s AM radio station, which can be heard on 1680-AM.

These tests will be conducted monthly on the second Wednesday of each month.

At left, Rickey Diecidue, at right, Glenn Rocher, both fired and arrested for theft of materials from St. Bernard Parish government

New St. Bernard Parish President David Peralta, at left, and Sheriff-elect James Pohlmann discuss arrests of parish government employees. STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTO.

Jan. 23, 2012 - Two St. Bernard Parish government employees have been fired and booked with theft for stealing property to cut up and sell as scrap, Sheriff-elect James Pohlmann and new Parish President David Peralta said.

One of the men had scrapped $10,000 worth of aluminum to a scrap yard over a period of time, Pohlmann said.

Arrested are Glenn Rocher, 31, of Chalmette, booked with felony theft and possession of stolen property; and Rickey Diecidue, 53, booked with felon theft. Both were employed for more than two years in the Road Department, under the Public Works Division, of parish government.

Rocher was booked Jan 5 after a tip to the Sheriff’s Office about him cutting up stolen light poles in his back yard led to him being found with the property, Pohlmann said.

“Subseqent investigation led to an accomplice,’’ who was Diecidue, Pohlmann said.

He said sheriff’s detectives determined Diecidue had scrapped some $10,000 worth of aluminum to a scrap yard in Chalmette.

Rocher has been released on bond of $16,500 while Diecidue was released on $5,000 bond.

Pohlmann said the scrap yard keeps good records as required by law and cooperates with sheriff’s investigations involving stolen property.

Peralta, who formerly was employed at the Sheriff’s Office before winning the Presidential election and was inaugurated Jan. 10, touted the spirit of cooperation between parish government and the Sheriff’s Office.

Peralta acknolweded an internal investigation by parish government officials into thefts was ongoing when Rocher and then Diecidue were arrested.

An investigation is continuing into other unsolved thefts, Peralta said, acknolweding, “We’ve had a problem with thefts’’ including light poles taken from work sites. A number of bleachers for recreation activities are also missing, he said.

“It’s a common problem’’ with government agencies in this area, Peralta said, adding he wants to get out the message that such thefts won’t be tolerated and prosecutions will be pushed.

Jan. 20, 2012 - Call it an anti-crime summit meeting.

Sheriff-elect James Pohlmann and the Sheriff’s Office is inviting St. Bernard Parish residents to a March 8 meeting to discuss crime prevention, how to start Neighborhhod Watch groups in their areas and give people the chance to talk about any concerns or ask questions of sheriff’s officials.

It will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, at Nunez College Auditorium on the campus off Lafontaine Street in Chalmette.

Pohlmann, who takes office July 1, succeeding long-time Sheriff Jack A. Stephens, said that in advance of that he wants to hear from residents, discuss crime prevention measures and encourage people to re-form a Neighborhood Watch program in their area or start one for the first time.

Pohlmann said, “This meeting is for anyone who wants to help make their neighborhood safer. You can tell us about specific problems in your neighborhood and ask questions of myself and ranking officers in the Sheriff’s Office, who also will be there.”

“It is also important that Neighborhood Civic Associations and currently formed Neighborhood Watch groups re-establish themselves by attending this meeting,’’ the sheriff-elect said.

St. Bernard has less population than before Hurricane Katrina,Pohlmann said, making it important residents stay alert for anything suspicious they see in their area and report it to the Sheriff’s Office at 271-2501. Banding together in a Neighborhood Watch group is the best way to be active in suppressing crime, he said.

Pohlmann added, “At the March 8 meeting we will discuss some of the specific problems we face as residents of St. Bernard Parish and how through neighborhood involvement we can help eliminate much of it.’’

Capt. Charles Borchers, head of Crime Prevention and Neighborhood Watch programs for the Sheriff’s Office as well as coordinator of the popular Police Citizens Academy offered each year by the Sheriff’s Office, will be moderator of the meeting at Nunez.

Borchers can be reached at (504) 278-7628 for more information on the Nunez meeting, information about starting a Neighborhood Watch group or registering to participate in free programs the Sheriff’s Office sponsors. That includes, besides Citizens Police Academy,the National Night out Against Crime, the Quality of Life Officer program to combat blight and work on other specific problems in neighborhoods and the Refuse to be a Victim lecture series to help residents understsand actions they can take to avoid being a crime victim.

Neighborhood Watch is one of the oldest and most effective crime prevention programs in the country, Borchers said, bringing citizens together with law enforcement to deter crime and make communities safer.

Sponsored by the National Sheriff’s Association, (NSA), Neighborhood Watch traces its roots back to the days of colonial settlements, when night watchmen patrolled the streets. The modern version was developed in response to requests from sheriffs and police looking for a crime prevention program that would involve citizens.

Launched in 1972, Neighborhood Watch counts on residents to organize themselves and work with law enforcement to keep a trained eye and ear on their communities. The program took off quickly: in just ten years, NSA data showed 12 percent of the population was involved in a Neighborhood Watch.

At the March 8 crime prevention meeting, sheriff’s officials will go over each program the Sheriff’s Office sponsors for residents and how they can take advantage of them.

The Quality of Life Officer program assigns a deputy to work on complaints including parish code enforcement problems, blight that is leading to crime, abandoned property where people are illegally gathering, abandoned vehicles, repeated disturbances such as loud music, loitering or empty swimming pools.

A hotline number of (504) 278-7799 has been established to reach the Quality of Life Officer program or it can be called through Borchers’ Crime Prevention number of (504) 278-7628.

The “Refuse to be a Victim’’ program, which will held again in March, although no date has been set, teaches safety tips for home and away situations. Parish residents can sign up by also calling Borchers.

Seminars concentrate on improving personal safety strategies by being aware of your surroundings when out in public and using the best crime prevention devices at home, including strong locks and peep holes on home doors, light-timers, alarm systems, video surveillance systems and motion lights.

Advice includes things as simple as always keeping a garage door locked so burglars can’t more easily enter your home and never leave empty boxes in front of your home for trash pick-up because it advertises what new items people have bought and have inside their residence.

“Some of it is common sense but it’s another initiative from our department we believe can help residents to prevent being victimized,” Borchers said of the program.

Brandon Grant                                                                                           Darius Brown

Ferdinand Johnson                                                                                      Nicholas Duplessis

Jan. 20, 2012 - Four men, three from Violet and one from Chalmette, have been arrested for distribution of crack cocaine or marijuana in an undercover investigation aimed at street dealers, Sheriff-elect James Pohlmann said.

Also, numerous other drug arrests and seizures have been made recently including one that netted 10 grams of crack cocaine worth $1,000 and 1.5 grams of powdered cocaine with the arrest of one man.

Pohlmann said, “Arresting people who openly sell drugs on streets is important because otherwise you end up with killings over who controls certain areas, and with drive-by shootings as dealers try to clear street corners for themselves.

“We want dealers to be afraid to sell on streets because they don’t know whether they are selling to undercover sheriff’s deputies.’’

The undercover drug operation was carried out during the recent holiday period when “buys’’ of crack cocaine and marijuana were made on streets in Chalmette and Violet.

Warrants for arrests were obtained from judges and the four were recently taken into custody and remain jailed in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of bonds that were set.

Arrested and their charges are :

- Ferdinand Johnson, 47, 1911 Tusa Drive, Apt. B, Violet, distribution of crack. Bond is $70,000.

- Nicholas Duplessis, 26, 2321 Highland Drive, Violet, distribution of crack. He was also booked with possession of a small amount of marijuana. Total is $51,500.

- Brandon Grant, 26, 3717 Shangri-La Drive, Chalmette, distribution of crack and distribution of marijuana. No bond information available.

- Darius Brown, 20, of Violet, two counts of distribution of marijuana. Brown, arrested Jan. 5, was also booked on a warrant charging felony cruelty to an animal for shooting a dog in December, which had to be euthanized by authorities because of the seriousness of her injuries. Total bond is $235,000.

Sheriff’s SID agents and patrol deputies have also made numerous other drug arrests and seizures recently, including five which resulted in confiscating 10 grams of crack worth $1,000, 1.5 grams of heroin worth $200, $3,100 worth of high-grade marijuana, 7 tablets of synthetic MDMA, or Ecstasy, as well as numerous prescription pills.

Lester Johnson, 40, of New Orleans was booked Jan. 12 with possession with intent to distribute 10.1 grams of crack and 1.5 grams of powdered cocaine after a traffic stop.

Separately, Eddie Stewart, 37, and Afi Bodden, 34, both of Kenner, were both booked Jan. 13 with possession with intent to distribute 1.5 grams of heroin.

Also, Louis Henriquez, 30, 2701 Dauterive Drive, Chalmette, was booked Dec. 29 with possession with intent to distribute numerous drugs including 3.5 ounces of high-grade marijuana worth $3,100, 7 doses of synthetic MDMA, 31 doses of oxycodone, 17 doses of the drug Xanax and 11 does of Soma.

On Jan. 9, three men were arrested in connection with the sale of 21 tablets of the painkiller Lorcet. Marcel Theriot, 24, of Chalmette, was booked with distribution of the drugs to Kory Despaux, 28, of Chalmette, and Nicholas Harris, 32, of Slidell, who both were booked with possession of the tablets.

Also, on Dec. 30, Bridget Helg, 28, 802 Community St., Arabi, a passenger in a vehicle driven by Cyril Dow 3, 28, of the same address, was booked with possession of 29 prescription pills or films including Suboxone, Diazepam, hydrocodone, Alprazolam, oxymorphone and Carisoprodol. Dow was booked by State Police with driving while impaired.

No. 02, is Jermard "Mardy'' Taylor, arrested Jan. 11                                                                    No. 03, is Chaz Adams, booked Jan. 19 in thefts of 4-wheelers

Jan. 19, 2012 - A New Orleans man wanted in several thefts of 4-wheel all-terrain vehicles has been booked, the second such arrest in a week, Sheriff-elect James Pohlmann said.

Also, a 4-wheeler that was among numerous ones stolen in St. Bernard Parish in recent months has been recovered in eastern New Orleans and an investigation is continuing, Pohlmann said.

More than 15 ATVs, some worth as much as $10,000, have been stolen in the Meraux area and further east in St. Bernard Parish since the fall of last year. Anyone with information on thefts of 4-wheelers should call the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501 or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 and they could be eligible for a reward if a tip leads to an arrest.

Chaz A. Adams, 32, 12970 McRaven Court, New Orleans, was booked Thursday, Jan. 19, on an arrest warrant alleging he participated in a burglary of a shed where a 4-wheeler was stolen in Meraux and in the theft of a second 4-wheeler, Pohlmann said.

Jermard “Mardy” Taylor, 32, of New Orleans, a friend of Adams, was booked the night of Jan. 11 with one count of burglary of the shed in Meraux and with one count of theft of another 4-wheeler in Meraux.

Taylor, spotted hiding outside a residence the night after an ATV was stolen nearby, admitted under questioning he was part of a ring that has stolen at least five such vehicles recently, Pohlmann said.

“He was scouting out the area for other possible thefts,’’ of ATVs when arrested, Pohlmann said of Taylor, who also was booked with trespassing on the property where he was found.

Taylor is being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of bond set at $40,000. Adams was being held pending an appearance before a judge to have bond set.

Pohlmann also said sheriff’s detectives are working with police in eastern New Orleans, where many of the stolen 4-wheelers apparently have been transported. Both Taylor and Adams live in that area of the city and a 4-wheeler stolen in St. Bernard Parish in recent months has recovered this week in eastern New Orleans.

Investigators know there are others involved in thefts besides Taylor and Adams because three men who appear younger than they are shown on footage from a home surveillance camera during a theft of an ATV in eastern St. Bernard the night of Dec. 14, Pohlmann said. They haven’t been identified, he said.

Jan. 12, 2012 - A Plaquemines Parish man who was driving a car reported stolen was severely burned Wednesday night, Jan. 11, when the vehicle caught fire in St. Bernard Parish and he ran naked into a subdivision in Meraux after shedding his burning clothing, Sheriff’s Office and Fire Department authorities said.

Phillip Guillot, 19, of Braithwaite, is hospitalized in the burn unit of Baton Rouge General Hospital, with 3rd-degree and 2nd-degree burns over most of his body, Sheriff-elect James Pohlmann and Deputy Fire Chief Glenn Ellis said.

Both agencies are involved in investigating the incident, which happened about 9:30 p.m. when Guilliot drove into the parking lo of a Family Dollar discount store at 4132 E. Judge Perez Drive in Meraux, Pohlmann said.

Guillot was found in the nearby Lexington Place subdivision after a resident reported he was running naked on a street.

The victim was initially taken to University Hospital in New Orleans and transferred to Baton Route General, Pohlmann said.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

A sheriff’s report of the incident and Ellis both said Guillot, questioned briefly before he was taken away by ambulance, said he had just gotten gasoline for the vehicle and possibly got some on his clothing, which he ignited when he lit a cigarette.

Because of his injuries Guillot can’t be interviewed in the hospital, Pohlmann said.

Loose cigarettes were found in the heavily damaged 2007 Ford Focus which had been reported stolen in Jefferson Parish. The interior and rear of the vehicle received the greatest damage. There was no information available on when the vehicle was stolen.

Pohlmann said witnesses said the car was on fire when Guillot drove into the store parking lot and struck a pole before stopping and getting out. Other witnesses said they heard an explosion, which may have been caused when the initial fire possibly ignited a gasoline can found in the rear of the car, sheriff’s officials said.

No charges have been filed over the incident.

Guillot had an outstanding warrant for his arrest out of Jefferson Parish on a misdemeanor charge of simple battery, Pohlmann said.

A man brandishes an object as if it were a gun and points it at an employee in a Violet store he robbed Saturday night, Jan. 7.

Jan. 11, 2012 - St. Bernard Parish sheriff’s detectives are asking the public’s help to identify a man who robbed a store in Violet on Saturday night, Jan. 7, jumping a counter and fighting with a store employee for more than minute as he yelled at her to open the cash register, Sheriff-elect James Pohlmann said.

After the struggle - in which the robber grabbed the employee by the neck and her hair and threatened her with objects he brandished as weapons - the man could not get the register open. Pohlmann said the man fled with only a $5 bill that had been placed on the counter by a customer just before the incident began at 9:52 p.m.

The woman complained afterward of neck pain and was checked by emergency medical workers. The robbery happened at a Dollar General store on East Judge Perez Drive in Violet.

Anyone with information about the robber should call the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501 or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 and they could be eligible for a reward if the tip leads to an arrest.

The robber was described as a black male, 18-25 years old, 5-9 to 6-ft., 140-160 pounds, and wearing a black mask and had on a blue hooded shirt with blue jeans and white shoes.

When he entered the store at 9:52 p.m. he pointed an object – possibly a piece of metal - at the employee behind the register as if it were a gun and soon jumped the counter and began struggling with her, Pohlmann said.

After a short period he went back around the counter, placed the object down, then jumped back over the counter to confront the employee again, this time holding a second object and threatening her before grabbing her neck and her hair.

The woman said he yelled at her repeatedly to open the register but she wasn’t able to do that and after a struggle of more than a minute he left, taking the $5 bill.

A customer who had just placed the money down for a purchase just before thr robbery, fled to another part of the store and wasn’t injured, Pohlmann said.

Jan. 10, 2012 - The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for Reserve Division volunteer officers who live in the parish to supplement its regular force of sheriff’s deputies, Sheriff-elect James Pohlmann said.

“Our Reserve Division has been important to the Sheriff’s Office in the past,’’ Pohlmann said. “We have always had good reserve officers. They have been helpful in supplementing our regular manpower in specific situations such as working during athletic events, parades, festivals and other events.

“Some have gone on to become regular sheriff’s deputies and are still with us,’’ Pohlmann said.

But most members of the Reserve Division - which is an unpaid, voluntary job - left after Hurricane Katrina as many residents moved from St. Bernard Parish, he said.

“Now we would like to build the reserve force back up and are accepting applications from people who would like to help the Sheriff’s Office and their community,’’ Pohlmann said.

Col. Jerry Rathburn, commander of the Reserve Division, said there were about 40 officers at the time of the hurricane but currently the group is down to about 10. “We would like to make it a lot bigger,’’ he said.

“You don’t need a background in law enforcement’’ to be a reserve officer, Rathburn said. “We will give you the training. Having the desire to do this is the big thing – we need people who want to give something back to help the community. The people who do this are dedicated.”

To apply a person:

- Must live in St. Bernard Parish

- Be at least 21 years old

- Have earned a high school diploma or GED

- Have a clean police record. Background checks and drug screens would be done on applicants.

For more information, call Rathburn at (504) 278-7676. Those who want to follow up with an application will be directed to fill out the required paperwork, Rathburn said.

Jan. 06, 2012 - A Violet man was arrested Thursday night, Jan. 5, for felony cruelty to an animal after shooting a dog in December while its owner was playing fetch with her, Sheriff-elect James Pohlmann said. The parish animal shelter had to euthanize the mixed Labrador because of the severity of injuries.

Darius Brown, 21, was arrested at his home by sheriff’s detectives Trey Delaune and Sgt. Paul Miller, who obtained an arrest warrant from a judge following an investigation of the incident, Pohlmann said.

As well as booked with shooting the mixed Labrador named Hazel, Brown was also booked with aggravated assault for allegedly threatening the dog’s owner after shooting the canine, with illegal discharge of a weaon and on an outstanding warrant for distribution of marijuana.

Brown is being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of $235,000 bond set by a judge on Friday, Jan. 6.

Pohlmann said detectives also seized an AK-47 assault rifle inside Brown’s home when he was arrested.

Pohlmann said the dog’s owner, who also lives in Violet, reported Dec. 8 that his dog was shot late in the afternoon while he was playing fetch with her on a lot by his home.

The owner alleged Brown, whom he said he had a verbal altercation with earlier that day, drove up in a vehicle, got out and walked directly to the dog, produced a handgun, and shot her in the torso.

The owner said Brown, still holding the gun after shooting the animal, told him, “… with me again, you hear?”” and walked back to a vehicle and drove away.

The dog was taken to St. Bernard Animal Shelter for medical treatment but was euthanized the next day because of the severity of injuies, Pohlmann said.

Thaddeus Price, 30, arrested in Chalmette

Jan. 4, 2012 - A Chalmette man was arrested Dec. 27 as the getaway driver in a Dec. 23 bank robbery in St. Tammany Parish, with assistance in the capture by the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office.

Thaddeus Price, 30, was taken into custody at his Chalmette apartment by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, with help from the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office, as one of the three men who robbed a Regions Bank at 1901 N. Causeway Blvd. in Mandeville on Dec. 23.

Price, allegedly the driver of the getaway vehicle, was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Jail on one count of first-degree robbery. Bond was set at $75,000.

The robbery didn’t go off as the men probably planned. A dye pack inside the cash bag taken out of the bank by one robber exploded outside, causing thick, red smoke to billow from the bag, catching the notice of several witnesses, St. Tammany authorities said.

Witnesses got the license plate number of the vehicle they left in, which along with bank video, helped authorities identify the men.

St. Bernard Sheriff-elect James Pohlmann said the Sheriff's Office, New Orleans Police Department and the FBI were involved in the investigation with the St. Tammany’s Sheriff Office.

Officials released the names of the other two wanted suspects, Eric Thompson, 39, and Gregory Jones, 36.

St. Tammany authorities said they believe both men are living in the Desire housing complex in New Orleans. Thompson and Jones will also be booked with first-degree robbery.

Jan. 3, 2012 - It was a safe and successful holiday season in St. Bernard Parish, with no armed robberies of businesses or residents, no major alcohol-related vehicle accidents and about 20 people asking for a free ride home from the Sheriff’s Office when they had been drinking, Sheriff-elect James Pohlmann said.

“From the things we measure, the holidays went smoothly and that’s the way we like it,’’ said Pohlmann.

“Public safety is always our first concern and things went mostly good in that regard over the Christmas-New Year’s period,’’ Pohlmann said.

One exception was a man in his 20s who suffered a hand injury from using commercial fireworks at home just before Christmas.

There were no armed robberies or purse-snatchings, he said. “We had extra patrols in certain areas for a greater police presence to protect people who were out and about shopping and doing other things during the holiday period,’’ Pohlmann said.

“We also used our Sky Watch portable hydraulic tower at a high-intensity shopping area so we could look for any trouble.’’

Pohlmann said about 20 people took advantage of the Sheriff’s Office free holiday ride home program from Thanksgiving to Jan. 2, a number that was slightly down from a year ago. It was the 28th straight year the St. Bernard’s Sheriff’s Office has offered the program, the longest in the New Orleans area.

“I believe people really do realize it’s not worth the risk of driving drunk and being arrested for a DWI or even worse, injuring someone else or yourself in a car crash,” he said.

The Sheriff’s Office, which holds sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols in St. Bernard to look for impaired drivers, will continue to vigorously enforce the law, Pohlmann said.