Two arrested in theft of pontoons
Two Tri-City area residents have been arrested on felony theft counts in the disappearance of two pontoons from the Bayou Teche at Berwick, Sheriff Blaise said.
—James Lee Beranek, 36, La. 182 East, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:56 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for felony theft.
—Rachel Beranek, 35, La.. 182, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 3:56 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant for felony theft.
On Tuesday, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and made contact with the driver, James Beranek, who held an active warrant for his arrest. Later in the day, contact was also made with Rachel Beranek, who also held a warrant for her arrest. The warrant stems from an investigation conducted by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Marine Section.
On July 3, a deputy responded to a location in Patterson to speak with a complainant who stated that someone had stolen some metal pontoons that were located in the Bayou Teche in Berwick. After taking the initial complaint, the deputy’s report was turned over to the St. Mary Parish Marine Section deputies.
After a lengthy investigation, the Marine Section deputies obtained evidence and a warrant for James Beranek and Rachel Beranek.
James Beranek and Rachel Beranek were transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Both were subsequently released on a $1,000 bond each.
Smith also reported this arrest:
—Trinity Nicole Todd, 25, Bridge Road, Patterson, was arrested at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of accessory after the fact to simple escape. No bail has been set.
Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair reported this arrest:
—Jeremiah Aucoin, 38, Marcel Lane, Houma, was arrested at 10:15 p.m. Tuesday on Morgan City Court warrants for failure to appear to pay fines for headlight required, driving under suspension and shoplifting, and on a City Court warrant for two counts of contempt of court.
On Thursday, officer located Aucoin, who had warrants from City Court of Morgan City. Aucoin was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking.
St. Martin Parish Sheriff Becket Breaux reported this arrest:
—Stephen Lee Touchet, 29, St. Martinville, was arrested Monday on charges of creation or operation of a clandestine laboratory, manufacture/distribution of LSD, turning movements and required signals, and insurance required.
On Monday, deputies with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office were conducting proactive narcotics enforcement efforts, when they observed a vehicle that failed to use turn signals. Deputies subsequently conducted a traffic stop in the 6400 block of Resweber Highway.
Deputies learned that the driver, Touchet, 29, did not have insurance on the vehicle. Following consent to search the vehicle, deputies located blotter paper with images of cartoon characters, a vial containing suspected liquid LSD, and materials associated with a mobile clandestine laboratory.
The papers are used to infuse LSD onto each perforated square, with each sheet having the potential of 225 dosages. The evidence recovered had the potential to produce approximately 675 “hits” of LSD, commonly referred to as acid.
At the time of this release, no bond had been set as of Tuesday.If you suspect illegal drug activity is occurring in your neighborhood, please report it by utilizing the Narcotics Tip Line – 337-394-2626. Please help us keep the streets of St. Martin Parish free of illegal drug activity.