Police: DWI suspect was sleeping in vehicle

A Houston man was arrested in Morgan City after police found the man asleep at the wheel of a vehicle stopped at an intersection, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.

—David Alcazar, 36, of Houston, was arrested at 10:58 p.m. Wednesday on charges of DWI first offense and simple obstruction of a highway.

An officer in the area of Railroad Avenue and Myrtle Street observed a vehicle stopped at the intersection, and the driver appeared to be asleep. The officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and was able to awaken the driver identified as Alcazar, Blair said.

Alcazar appeared intoxicated and performed poorly on a field sobriety test, Blair said. Alcazar refused the chemical test for intoxication at the police department. A warrant was obtained to withdraw a blood sample from Alcazar. Alcazar was transported to a medical facility for the retrieval of the blood sample. The results of the sample are pending. Alcazar was transported back to the police department and jailed.

Blair reported that officers responded to 46 calls and reported the following arrest:

—Ly J. Mencia-Ponce, 33, of La. 182 in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:26 p.m. Wednesday on charges of improper lane usage, driving under suspension and no child restraint.

An officer patrolling the area of Egle Street observed a vehicle cross the center line of the roadway. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver, Mencia-Ponce, had a suspended driver’s license. The officer also observed a small child unrestrained inside the vehicle, Blair said. Mencia-Ponce was jailed.

Patterson Police Chief Janis Merritt reported the following arrests:

—Trent Anthony Dehart, 20, of Jake Street in Patterson, was arrested at 9:28 p.m. Wednesday on a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant. No bail was set.

—Cameron Aucoin, 20, of Burney Lane in Patterson, was arrested at 11:07 p.m. Wednesday on a Lafourche Parish warrant for failure to appear in court. No bail was set yet.

—Ko’moni Hurts, 19, of Tiffany Street in Patterson, was arrested at 2:49 a.m. Thursday on a charge of possession of marijuana. No bail was set yet.

—Joseph Singleton, 19, of Jason Street in Patterson, was arrested at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and stop sign violation. Singleton posted $3,750 bail.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Scott Anslum reported that deputies responded to 38 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrest in east St. Mary Parish:

—Francisco Garces IV, 29, of Catherine Street in Patterson, was arrested at 6:50 p.m. Wednesday on five warrants for failure to appear on charges of expired motor vehicle inspection, possession of cocaine, no tail lights, driving under suspension and switched license plate.

A deputy assisting with a traffic stop came into contact with a passenger in the vehicle, Garces. The deputy learned of active warrants for Garces. Garces was jailed with no bail set.

Franklin Police Chief Tina Thibodeaux reported the following arrest relating to east St. Mary Parish:

—Markima White, 24, of Vaughn Alley in Patterson, was arrested at 10:39 p.m. Wednesday on a Patterson police warrant for simple battery. White was jailed with no bail set yet.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.