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A 26-year-old Morgan City man was arrested Wednesday stemming from incidents in 2016 when he allegedly stole a vehicle and also tried to enter a vehicle stopped at a red light in Morgan City, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.

—Roderick A. Hunter, 26, of Apple Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:10 pm. Wednesday on warrants charging him with simple battery, theft of a motor vehicle and obstruction of highway.

Hunter was transported parish jail to Morgan City Police Department on warrants. The simple battery warrant stems from an incident in April 2016, which alleges that Hunter committed a battery on an individual, Blair said.

The vehicle theft warrant stems from an incident in October 2016, in which Hunter is alleged to have stolen a vehicle from the Garber Street area, Blair said.

The warrant for obstruction of a highway stems from an incident also in October 2016 when Hunter allegedly tried to gain entry into the victim’s vehicle while stopped at a red light on La. 182, Blair said. Hunter was jailed.

Blair reported that officers responded to 36 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Hope Chettiyar, 39, of Kentucky Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:51 pm. Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana first offense, illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a person under 17 years old, violation of controlled dangerous substance law-drug-free zone, possession of drug paraphernalia and distribution to a student

—Kyarius Williams, 17, of Freret Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:51 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana first offense, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of controlled dangerous substance law- drug-free zone and illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a person under 17 years old.

—Drake Boudreaux, 18, of Kentucky Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:51 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana first offense, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of controlled dangerous substance law-drug-free zone and illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a person under 17 years old.

—Laniya Grogan, 18, of Cardinal Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:51 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana first offense, possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a person under 17 years old and violation of controlled dangerous substance-drug-free zone.

—Jacolbi J. Francois, 20, of Barrow Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:51 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana first offense, illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a person under 17 years old, possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal carrying of weapons, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, illegal possession of a stolen firearm and violation of controlled dangerous substance law-drug-free zone.

—A juvenile female, 16, of Kentucky Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:51 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana first offense, possession of Xanax and violation of controlled dangerous substance law-drug-free zone.

Narcotics division detectives conducted a search warrant on a Kentucky Street home. Located inside the home were Chettiyar, Williams, Boudreaux, Grogan, Francois and two juveniles.

Officers conducted the search and located suspected marijuana and items used to smoke illegal narcotics, Blair said. A female juvenile had a pill, identified as Xanax, Blair said.

Francois was in possession of a firearm that had been reported stolen, Blair said. Francois is a convicted felon, Blair said. All suspects were jailed. The juvenile was booked and released to a guardian.

—Ray J. Acosta, 43, of Franklin Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:39 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant charging him with three counts of failure to appear. Acosta was located at his home and arrested on a city court warrant. Acosta was jailed.

—Kelly F. Whittington, 43, of Lake Palourde Drive in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:40 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana first offense, possession of drug paraphernalia and proper equipment required on a vehicle.

A patrol officer in the area of Second Street and Railroad Avenue observed a vehicle with a broken taillight. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver identified as Whittington.

Whittington gave the officer consent to search her vehicle, and the officer located suspected marijuana and items used to smoke illegal narcotics inside the vehicle, Blair said. Whittington was jailed.

—Devin J. McMichael, 34, of Heidelberg, Mississippi, was arrested at 2:32 a.m. Thursday on charges of improper lane usage, DWI first offense and possession of an alcoholic beverage in motor vehicle.

A patrol officer in the area of La. 182 and Myrtle Street saw a vehicle swerving in and out the lane of travel. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver identified as McMichael, who appeared intoxicated, Blair said.

McMichael performed poorly on a field sobriety test and then refused to take a chemical test, Blair said. McMichael was jailed.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Scott Anslum reported that deputies responded to 36 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrest in east St. Mary Parish:

—Kenneth Jones, 31, of Lloyd Lane in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:26 a.m. Thursday on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Narcotics detectives patrolling the Siracusaville area observed a vehicle fail to signal a turn onto La. 182. Detectives conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as Jones.

While speaking with him, a detective received consent to search his person and located a pipe used for smoking crack cocaine, Anslum said. Following the investigation, Jones was released on a summons to appear in court May 2.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrest:

—Kyjia Thomas, 28, of Camelia Avenue in Houma, was arrested at 8:18 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant charging her with felony theft and unauthorized use of an access card. No bail was set.

Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported no arrests.

July 5, 1930 -February 5, 2018
Doyle Galloway Berry passed away peacefully at his home in Berwick, Louisiana, on February 5th, 2018. The 87-year-old Christian and businessman was surrounded by his loving family, faithful caregivers and his trusted dog and companion, “Biscuit.”
There is no question that the day, July 5th, 1930 was a significant day in the life of Doyle Berry, as that was the day he was born in Norfolk, Virginia. More importantly however were the days filled and lived after that day. For those are the days that formed and molded the man best known to most as Doyle, Dad, Granddad, Chief and Boss. Most would agree that Doyle not only burned the candle from both ends, but from every angle possible and lived his life to its fullest.
Doyle spent his formative years in Mendenhall, Mississippi, where he formed lifelong, childhood friendships. In 1948, he joined the Navy, spending most of his time on the island of Guam and was honorably discharged in 1952. From there, Doyle went on to attend the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. In 1955, Doyle took a summer job in South Louisiana and took note of the countless opportunities in the burgeoning oilfield.
In 1956, Doyle moved to Berwick, Louisiana, and co-founded Berry Bros. General Contractors, Inc. with his brother Everett. Since that time, Doyle has been involved in countless other business ventures, numerous civic organizations, as well as politically appointed posts. He was a director for Katy Industries, Chairman of the LA Wildlife and Fisheries, Director for the M.C. Port and Harbor Commission, Director of First National Bank, King of Hephaestus, King of the Mystic Krewe of Louisianans in Washington, D.C. and was a fellow Mason at numerous lodges.
Doyle never met a stranger in his life and was friends with people from all ends of the spectrum. He was particularly fond of law enforcement and politics and therefore counted many congressmen, mayors, lawmen, senators, governors and even presidents as friends. Doyle truly was a larger than life figure in the glory days of the South Louisiana oil boom.
Doyle loved fishing on Creole Bayou, playing golf on the Meeker Course and spending time with family and friends on the White River. Those who knew him best will forever remember his love of God and Country, a pocket full of cigars, a phone in his ear, a glass of iced tea, a strong desire to help others, and a spirited game of gin rummy. We will forever miss and never forget those warm greetings of “Pal” and “Sugar.”
Doyle is survived by his sons, Brian Berry, Bert Berry and his wife, Wendy, and Scott Berry and his wife, Shanna; his grandchildren, Caitlin Berry, Eleanor Berry, Dillon Berry, Julia Berry, Isabella Berry, Kaylee Champagne and Cullen Champagne; great-granddaughter, Charlotte Arceneaux; brother, Dr. Gene Berry and his wife, Jolie; and sisters-in-law, Iris Berry and Mickey Pearson.
Doyle was preceded in death by his wife, Dawn Wilson Berry; his father and mother, Buford and Katherine Berry; stepmother, Alleyne Berry; and brother, Everett Berry.
The family is forever thankful for the caregivers and friends who were there for him through the years.
Visitation will be held at Hargrave Funeral Home at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018, with services starting at 1 p.m. officiated by Reverend Bert Langley. Doyle will be laid to rest privately at a later time.
Pallbearers are Dillon Berry, Troy Lombardo, Raymond Michel, Ron Coleman, Michael Bourgeois, and Bill Dukes. Honorary pallbearers are Mac Wade, Melvin Bourgeois, Mike Hillman, Jim Dukes, Andy Lawrence and Howard Parker.
Memorial donations may be made to the “Buford E. Berry Scholarship Fund” at Mississippi College, P.O. Box 4005, Clinton, MS 39058.