Sheriff: Two arrested after vehicle hits home

Two men were booked on multiple charges after the vehicle they were in struck a home in Verdunville while St. Mary Parish deputies and detectives were conducting a traffic stop, Sheriff Scott Anslum said in a news release.

—Matthew Blanks, 36, of Iberia Street in Franklin, was arrested at 7:07 p.m. Tuesday on charges of resisting an officer, hit and run, possession of Suboxone, open container, a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses, and on Berwick Police Department warrants charging him with possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, cocaine, crack cocaine, resisting an officer, resisting an officer with force or violence, improper lane usage and obstruction of justice.

—Warren Hines Jr., 44, of Fournier Street in Franklin, was arrested at 7:07 p.m. Tuesday on charges of resisting an officer with force, battery on a police officer, possession of alcoholic beverage in motor vehicles and on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of criminal neglect of family.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Patrol Section deputies and Narcotics Section detectives conducted a traffic stop with a vehicle on La. 182 in Verdunville. During the stop, the vehicle struck a home. Blanks and Hines fled from the vehicle and were apprehended after a foot chase, Anslum said.

Deputies observed Blanks throw something while fleeing from the vehicle, later learned to be Suboxone. While detaining Hines, he struck a deputy, Anslum said. During a search of the vehicle, deputies located open alcoholic beverages and learned that they belonged to Hines and Blanks. Hines and Blanks also held active warrants for their arrest.

During the investigation, Matthews was advised to leave the area after making attempts to interfere with the investigation but did not, the sheriff said. Matthews, Hines and Blanks were transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center. Matthews was released on recognizance. No bail was set for Hines or Blanks.

Anslum reported that deputies responded to 31 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrest in east St. Mary Parish:

—Kevin Clark, 36, of Third Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:46 p.m. Tuesday on charges of resisting an officer with flight, resisting an officer with false information and a warrant charging him with possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of MDMA, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of controlled dangerous substance law-drug-free zone.

Narcotics section detectives, with assistance from the Morgan City Police Department, located Clark near Brownell Homes in Morgan City. Clark attempted to provide false information and fled from officers, Anslum said. Clark was apprehended after a short foot chase.

The warrant stemmed from an investigation where detectives found evidence that Clark was in possession of crack cocaine, MDMA and drug paraphernalia in a drug-free zone. Clark was jailed with no bail set.

Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported that officers responded to 24 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Kristen M. Romero, 32, of Jennifer Street in New Iberia, was arrested at 12:58 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant charging her with failure to appear to pay a probation fee. Romero was located and arrested at the police department on a city court warrant. Romero was jailed.

—Orestes Lopez, 26, of La. 182 in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:22 p.m. Tuesday on charges of no driver’s license and improper lighting.

Patrol officers observed a vehicle being operated in the area of La. 182 with the high beams activated while approaching other vehicles. A stop was initiated when Lopez was identified as the driver. Lopez didn’t have a valid driver’s license. Lopez was jailed.

Patterson Police Chief Janis Merritt reported the following arrest:

—Charlotte Tonya Bracamontes, 30, of Main Street in Patterson, was arrested at 12:49 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of Schedule II drugs, possession of Schedule IV drugs and possession of Legend drugs without a prescription. No bail was set yet.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.