UPDATED: Napoleonville woman accused in $474K theft in Amelia

Staff Report
A Napoleonville woman has been arrested and accused of stealing more than $474,000 from an Amelia business, St. Mary Sheriff Blaise Smith said.
Ava Hirstiuf, 64, of Convent Street in Napoleonville was arrested at 9:24 a.m. Thursday on theft and forgery charges.
St. Mary detectives met with a local business owner April 21. The owner said someone had stolen money from his business in Amelia. Through the investigation, it was discovered that money in the amount totaling $474,105 had been stolen from the business.
Detectives made contact with Ava Hirstiuf on Thursday and advised her of the active warrant for her arrest on the charges of theft and forgery. Hirstiuf was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. No bail has been set.
Smith also said his office made these arrests:
—John Daten Martin, 21, Lake Palourde Road, Amelia, was arrested at 2:05 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and unauthorized use of an access card. Martin was released on a summons to appear Aug. 21.
—Calvin Walter Griffin Sr., 43, Marie Street, Patterson, was arrested at 3:41 p.m. Thursday on a charge of disturbing the peace-intoxicated. Griffin was released on a summons to appear Aug. 21.
—Jeremiah T. Singleton, 18, Friendship Alley, Amelia, was arrested at 4:31 p.m. Thursday on a charge of battery of a dating partner. Singleton was released on a $2,500 bond.
Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair reported this arrest:
—Brett Sanders, 29, Lagonda Road, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:55 a.m. Friday on charges of simple battery, second-offense possession of marijuana, first-offense possession of synthetic marijuana, violation of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substance Act-drug free zone, obstruction of justice-tampering with evidence, possession of a Schedule III drug and possession of a legend drug.
Officers were called to a Third Street residence to remove a subject. Officers located the subject walking near the residence.
During the investigation, officers learned that the suspect, Sanders, had committed a battery at the residence. Sanders was also in possession of a bag that was searched after officers were given consent.
Officers located a small Zip-Lock bag that contained suspected marijuana along with pills. Officers also located suspected synthetic marijuana on Sanders. Sanders was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking.
Berwick Police Chief David Leonard reported these arrests:
—Brandon Stratton, River Road, Berwick, was arrested 1:39 a.m. Friday on charges of possession of a firearm in a firearm-free zone, violation of the controlled dangerous substance law in a drug-free-zone and possession of marijuana.
—A juvenile male, 17, was arrested at 1:39 a.m. Friday on a charges possession of a firearm by a juvenile, possession of a firearm in a firearm-free zone, violation of the controlled dangerous substance law in a drug-free-zone, and possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
At about 11:28 p.m. Thursday, officers of the Berwick Police Department along with the assistance of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a residence on River Road after receiving a complaint of a juvenile being in possession of a firearm.
Officers made contact with Stratton and the juvenile at the residence. During the investigation, a handgun was located belonging to Stratton. Through further investigation it was learned that the juvenile also had possession of the firearm at a previous time.
Marijuana and items of drug paraphernalia belonging to Stratton and the juvenile were also located. The residence in which the incident took place is in a posted drug/gun free zone.
Stratton and the juvenile were placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department. Stratton is currently incarcerated in the Berwick Jail awaiting a bond.
The juvenile was later released to a parent pending a court hearing.