Teen with rifle arrested near festival grounds
Morgan City police on Thursday arrested a 17-year-old who was near the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival grounds with what turned out to be a stolen rifle, the Police Department said.
On Thursday, investigators with the St. Mary Parish Sheriffâs Office Narcotics Section were in the area of the festival grounds on Front Street for security related to the festival. While in the area, investigators located a 17-year-old juvenile in a vehicle. The juvenile was in possession of a rifle and a large amount of ammunition, the Police Department said.
Officers with the Morgan City Police Department responded with these investigators, and the firearm in question was found to be reported stolen.
"Evidence was uncovered that the juvenile may have been in the area for nefarious purposes," according to the Police Department.
The juvenile was taken into custody by officers of the Morgan City Police Department and charged with terrorizing and possession of a stolen firearm. The juvenile is currently detained pending juvenile proceedings.
"Interim Chief Mark E. Griffin Jr. and the Morgan City Police Department want to remind our great citizens and those who plan to attend the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival that the safety of everyone is paramount," the :Police Department said. "Officers from multiple agencies will be present on festival grounds throughout the holiday weekend.
"Remember if you see something, say somethinđ . All you have to do is find one of the various law enforcement officers positioned throughout the grounds and alert them to any situation."