Police: Verdunville man, arrested during curfew, faces looting charge

Morgan City police arrested a man who fled after being caught Monday night inside an La. 70-area business during the Hurricane Ida curfew, arrest reports say.

James Salone Austin, 40, Verdun Lane, Verdunville, was arrested at 11:39 p.m. Monday on charges of simple burglary, theft of a motor vehicle, looting, possession of marijuana (first offense), possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer by giving false information, according to Police Chief James F. Blair.

Officers responded to a local business in the area of La.70 in regards to a theft, according to the Police Department. During the course of the investigation, it was learned that a male subject was caught inside of the business by the owner.

When confronted the subject fled the area on foot. The male subject who fled had allegedly taken a vehicle to the Franklin area and returned to the business, the department said.

Officers later located a male subject in the area of La. 70. The subject fled from officers and was apprehended after a short foot chase. Austin was later identified. Austin allegedly provided officers with a false name of Kevin Gates.

Austin was found to be in possession of suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Reports indicate Austin was also identified as the culprit of the earlier investigation at the local business on La. 70, the department said.

At the time the area was under a state of emergency due to the Hurricane Ida aftermath. Austin was arrested and booked into the Morgan City Jail.