Trespassing complaints lead to drug, assault arrests in Berwick

(Editor’s note: The charges listed here and the narratives that go with them are provided by the police agencies that made the arrests. Guilt or innocence has not been determined in court.)

Trespassing complaints led Berwick police to recent arrests on assault and marijuana charges.

Berwick

Chief David S. Leonard reported these arrests:

—Lennis Paray, 39, Berwick, was arrested at 10:37 a.m. April 18 on charges of resisting an officer, possession of marijuana (under 14 grams) and four counts of criminal trespassing.

About 10:24 a.m. April 18, the Berwick Police Department received a call of a person sleeping in an abandoned residence.

Officers located Paray and knew for him to have active warrants through the Berwick Police Department. Paray fled on foot and was taken into custody a short time later. He was found to be in possession of marijuana.

Paray was transported to the Berwick Police Department where he was booked

—Chance Bourgeois, 17, Morgan City was arrested at 9:22 a.m. Tuesday on Berwick warrants alleging two counts of criminal trespassing, simple criminal damage to property and simple assault.

On April 19, the Berwick Police Department responded to a vandalism complaint. Officers met with the complainant, who advised that Bourgeois and several others had damaged his vehicle and made threats to him and his family earlier in the evening.

Through investigation, evidence was gathered linking Bourgeois to the crimes. Warrants were issued and on Tuesday Bourgeois came to the Berwick Police Department and turned himself in on the active warrants. He was placed under arrest and booked without incident.

—Michael Thompson, 38, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:35 p.m. Friday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and no insurance.

—Jeremy Blackburn, 45, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:49 p.m. Saturday on warrants alleging theft (less than $1,000) and failure to appear on a charge of possession of methamphetamine.

About 12:10 p.m. Saturday, the Berwick Police Department received numerous calls regarding a stalled vehicle on the U.S. 90 bridge. Officers met with the driver, who was identified as Thompson, and his passenger, Blackburn.

While speaking with Thompson, impairment from narcotics was detected. Sobriety tests were conducted, and he performed poorly. A search of the vehicle was conducted, and methamphetamine and paraphernalia determined to belong to Thompson were located.

It was also learned that Blackburn had active warrants through the 16th Judicial District Court. Both were placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department for booking.

—Lawrence Vito, 38, Patterson, was arrested at 4:48 a.m. Tuesday on a Berwick warrant alleging hit and run.
In December, officers with the Berwick Police Department responded to a two-vehicle crash at a local business. One of the drivers left the scene.

Through video and other investigative means, officers were able to determine that Vito was the driver
in the vehicle that fled.

In April, warrants were issued for his arrest and on Tuesday, Vito came to the Berwick Police Department and turned himself him on the active warrant. He was placed under arrest without incident.

(The dates on the Berwick arrests have been corrected).

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 30 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--Gregory Clements, 55, Fourth Street, Berwick, was arrested at 9:43 a.m. Saturday on a charge of hit-and-run driving. He was released on a summons.

--Emmanuel Jamal Charles, 36, Sixth Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:26 p.m. Saturday on a charge of disturbing the peace.

Franklin

Chief Cedric Handy reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to eight complaints over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--Destiny Bowie, 30, Breaux Alley Street, New Iberia, was arrested at 12:59 p.m. Saturday on charges of speeding and reckless operation. Bowie was booked, processed and released on a $643.50 bond.

--August Gloskey, 65, Lucky's Trailer Park, Baldwin, was arrested at 4:15 p.m. Saturday a charge of criminal trespassing. Gloskey was booked, processed and released to appear in 3rd Ward City Court.