Police: Man charged with 4th DWI

Morgan City police charged a Houma man with DWI fourth offense after the suspect refused to take a field sobriety test or chemical test, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.

—Richard J. Cook, 48, of Cypress Village in Houma, was arrested at 12:21 p.m. Thursday on charges of DWI fourth offense, improper lane usage, driving under suspension, following vehicles, possession of alcoholic beverage in a vehicle, no registration and on a warrant charging him with sexual battery.

An officer in the area of U.S. 90 near the Martin Luther King Boulevard exit, observed a vehicle swerving in and out the lane of travel. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver, Cook, appeared intoxicated, Blair said.

Cook refused to perform a field sobriety test, and the officer also noticed an open container of an alcoholic beverage inside the vehicle, Blair said.

A computer check revealed that Cook’s driver’s license was suspended, and he also had a warrant for his arrest through the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office. Once the police department, Cook refused to submit to the chemical test for intoxication, Blair said.

A warrant was obtained to have a blood sample withdrawn from Cook. Cook was transported to a medical facility for the sample to be drawn. The results of the sample are pending. Cook was transported back to the Morgan City Police Department. Reports indicate that Cook had three prior arrests for driving while intoxicated, Blair said. Cook was jailed.

Blair reported that officers responded to 54 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Thalassa Frickey, 41, of Pecos Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:50 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of theft of goods. Frickey was arrested at the police department on a 16th Judicial District Court warrant. Frickey was jailed.

—Andronique M. Lemons, 28, of Maine Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2 p.m. Thursday on a warrant charging her with failure to pay probation fees. Lemons was transported from St. Mary Parish jail to the Morgan City Police Department jail on a city court warrant.

—Deon D. Turner, 36, of Joseph Lane in Franklin, was arrested at 1:50 p.m. Thursday on charges of improper lane usage and driving under suspension and on a warrant charging him with failure to appear for arraignment.

—Kevin Diggs, 40, of Roys Lane in Franklin, was arrested at 1:50 p.m. Thursday on a warrant charging him with probation violation.

An officer in the area of La. 182 near Martin Luther King Boulevard observed a vehicle swerving in and out the lane of travel. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver was identified as Turner, who had a suspended driver’s license, Blair said.

Turner also had an active warrant for 16th Judicial District Court. The passenger in the vehicle, Diggs, had a warrant for his arrest through city court. Both Turner and Diggs were jailed.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that deputies responded to 25 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—Charlie Williams Jr., 40, of 79 Pines Lane in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 11:08 a.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of possession of marijuana.

A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista was dispatched to a home on 79 Pines Lane in reference to a disturbance. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with Williams and was informed by dispatch of an active warrant for his arrest. Williams was booked into jail and then released on $250 bail.

—Tra Acosta, 22, of Leo Street in Patterson, was arrested at 6:19 p.m. Thursday on a charge of reckless operation.

On Wednesday, a deputy patrolling Bayou Vista was dispatched to a business in reference to a reckless driver complaint. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with business personnel who provided video footage of a vehicle driving recklessly.

A day later, the deputy was investigating a separate incident when he saw the vehicle matching the description of the vehicle on the video footage. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Acosta. Through the stop, Acosta admitted to the reckless operation, Smith said. Acosta was released on a summons to appear in court April 4.

—Kristy Carter, 41, of Jupiter Street in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 4:10 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of gabapentin and improper lane use.

Detectives with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Section were patrolling Bayou Vista when they observed a vehicle cross the fog line on La. 182. The detectives conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Carter. Through the stop, the detectives found drugs in the vehicle, Smith said. Carter was booked into jail and then released on $2,250 bail.

Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported no arrests.

Berwick Police Chief David Leonard reported no arrests.