Teen wearing a home incarceration anklet from N.O. where he committed 2 robberies is booked in Chalmette with vehicle burglary, taking $1,000 worth of old coins; 14-year-old also arrested

A 17-year-old male who was wearing a home incarceration anklet from New Orleans because he was on probation for 2 robberies as a juvenile was arrested in Chalmette for a vehicle burglary in which $1,000 of old coins were taken, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

A 14-year-old boy also was arrested.

Kendrick Roussell, the 17-year-old, 3017 Volpe Drive, Chalmette, was stopped on a street in Chalmette on Wednesday night after the Sheriff’s Office received a call about a suspicious person trying to sell items, Pohlmann said.

Roussell was trying to sell a collection of old coins that totaled more than $1,000 in value, along with video games. Initially he told sheriff’s deputies he had found the seven packaged collection of coins on the ground, Pohlmann said.

He was also wearing an electronic monitoring device on his left ankle and said he was on probation for two robberies in New Orleans committed as a juvenile.

But under questioning by sheriff’s detectives Capt. Mark Jackson and Sgt. Paul Miller he confessed to burglarizing a vehicle and getting the coins minutes before deputies stopped him, Pohlmann said.

He cooperated by taking deputies to the vehicle. Through further investigation detectives found a 14-year-old Chalmette boy also involved with Roussell in the burglary.

When authorities went to his home, a search of the residence located a gun stolen in a recent business burglary in St. Bernard, the sheriff said.

Roussell was booked into St. Bernard Parish Prison on one burglary count and two counts of possessing stolen property, the coins and the gun, Pohlmann said. He is jailed in lieu of $45,000 bond.

The 14-year-old, whose name wasn’t released because he is a juvenile, was taken to the parish juvenile detention center.

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St. Bernard and other parishes dealing with scammers who use devices to steal consumers’ debit card PIN number, then make withdrawals from bank accounts

St. Bernard and other local parishes are again dealing with scammers who have been using devices known as skimmers to steal consumers’ debit card PIN numbers and use that information to clone new cards and withdraw cash from ATM machines without the victim knowing about it, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

“There has been a regional problem here lately but in fact it is a national problem in which roving groups seem to traverse the country gathering people’s debit card PIN numbers to use to withdraw money at ATMS” Pohlmann said. He added that people who use debit cards frequently should review their bank records to look for fraudulent activity on their accounts and notify their bank and local law enforcement agency.

Pohlmann added, “The victim still has their origninal debit card and won’t know anything has happeneed until they check their bank statement or try to use the debit card and find there isn’t enough money in the account to cover the purchase they are trying to make.’’

There have been about 25 reports to the Sheriff’s Office from St. Bernard Parish residents since Monday, complaining of fraudulent activity on their checking and savings accounts from withdrawals made with their debit card PIN number at ATM machines, Pohlmann said.

Much of the fraud in St. Bernard has been pinpointed to one gasoline outlet in Chalmette, but other stations in the New Orleans area including the West Bank and a number of banks have been affected, Pohlmann said.

It is believed scammers installed a skimmer device which over time collected PIN numbers from debit cards used at a certain gasoline pump there.

Each victim was hit for about $500 – $600 withdrawn from their accounts.

It also resembles the same problem this area faced roughly one year ago when numerous victims’ had their debit card information stolen and the used at ATMs for withdrawals, Pohlmann said.

Victims who report such a theft to a law enforcement agency are generally able to have the amount stolen reimbursed by their bank.

Investigation by the Sheriff’s Office working with other agencies and bank security officials has found the cloning of debit card PINS in St. Bernard was used for withdrawals from ATMS in the Orlando, Fla. area, Pohlmann said. That means the scammers in this group have already blown through the New Orleans area and moved on to Orlando, he said.

Bank security officials know of the problem and are trying to pinpoint areas where debit card information is being stolen, such as a gasoline station or other location.

No arrests have been made.

Skimming devices are a popular way for fraudsters to obtain credit card information. One spot often used for skimming devices is at gas stations.

Each device has a PIN number pad that fits exactly behind a real PIN pad and when an unsuspecting user punches in their PIN number it can be retrieved by a scammer, who then makes a clone of the debit card and can use it to make cash withdrawals at ATM machines anywhere.

A skimming device isn’t easily noticeable to the consumer. Anyone seeing something unusual on a gas station pump should report it to station officials. Also, Pohlmann said, it may be a good idea to go inside the gasoline outlet’s office and, if possible, use cash or give the debit card to a cashier rather than use it at the pump.

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Violet teen booked with attempted murder in shooting in which victim wasn’t struck and authorities believe was over drugs; 2nd man involved not identified

A 17-year-old Violet man was booked with attempted first-degree murder stemming from a June 26 incident in which he shot at but didn’t hit another man in what sheriff’s officials believe was over marijuana, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Eugene McLeod was found by St. Bernard sheriff’s deputies on Sunday, July 8, after a judge issued a warrant for McLeod’s arrest on the attempted murder charge, Pohlmann said. He is jailed in lieu of $120,000 bond.

Sheriff’s detectives believe McLeod and another man who hasn’t been identified went to the victim’s apartment in Chalmette because they believed he had marijuana they wanted to steal, Pohlmann said.

The victim, who hasn’t been arrested, was shot at twice inside the apartment on Ventura Drive after he answered knocking at his door and was confronted by a gunman, Pohlmann said. He wasn’t hit and was able to get away from the first assailant and another man he saw on the front porch, suffering only leg injuries when he stumbled in his haste to flee, the sheriff said.

Pohlmann said anyone with information on the possible identity of the second man should call the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501 or Crimestoppers at 822-1111 and they could be eligible for a reward if an arrest is made.

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Nunez Chancellor Thomas Warner praises sheriff’s Reserve Division for job done at school graduation and spreads message parish residents should consider volunteering their time to the rebuilding group For information: call Capt. Charles Borchers who is acc For information: call Capt. Charles Borchers who is accepting application for reserve officers at 278-7628

Nunez Community College Chancellor Thomas Warner has praised the sheriff’s Reserve Division of volunteer officers for the good job they did at the school’s recent graduation ceremonies and recommended parish residents should consider being part of the rebuilding group.

Warner sent a letter to Sheriff James Pohlmann thanking the department for the “professional and courteous assistance’’ of Reserve Division officers Albert Loar, Tony Jeansonne and Scott Bowles at the Chalmette college’s 20th commencement ceremonies.

“The large attendance could very easily have become unmanageable but your staff maintained order in a friendly and positive way,’’ Warner said in the letter.

Warner later said in a meeting the Reserve Division “did a great job along with our campus police officers and are definitely an asset’’ to the Sheriff’s Office.

The Reserve Division is made up of volunteers who supplement the Sheriff’s Office’s regular force on specific assignments such as athletic events, parades and festivals. It is a non-paying position.

The Reserves group is rebuilding after losing most of its members following Hurricane Katrina when many residents relocated from the parish.

Sheriff Pohlmann has appointed Capt. Charles Borchers interim head of the Sheriff’s Reserve Division.

Borchers is accepting applications for volunteer officers and can be called at (504) 278-7628.

He replaces Col. Gerald “Jerry’’ Rathburn, who died in April, and had been the long-time head of the Reserve Division.

Those applying to be a Reserve Division officer must live in St. Bernard Parish and have a clean police record, said Borchers, who is also director of Community Relations – formerly known as Crime prevention – which includes the Neighborhood Watch program.

Applicants will have a background check and a drug screen done before they can be accepted.

Also, they must be at least 21 years old and have earned a high school diploma or GED.

“Applicants don’t need a background in law enforcement’’ to be a reserve officer, Borchers said. “We will give you the training but wanting do it to help your parish is the big thing.’’

For more information, call Borchers at (504) 278-7628. Those who want to follow up with an application will be directed to fill out the required paperwork, he said.

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Man booked with burglary of elderly victim, having 33 pills and auto theft; Couple arrested with intent to sell marijuana; Woman arrested in stolen auto

A Chalmette man was booked with unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling after an elderly woman said she was awakened at 3 a.m. and saw him climbing through a window, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Jamin Muscarello, 34, 404 West Solidelle St., who was identified by the woman who said Muscarello knew her son, ran but was soon caught by Dep. Sheriff Brad Nuccio. The incident happened early June 24.

Muscarello denied he was trying to burglarize the home and said he was only tapping at a window to see if the victim’s son was there.

Muscarello was booked into St. Bernard Parish Prison on one count of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling and was also booked with illegal possession of 33 prescription pills found on him and resisting officers, Pohlmann said.

He was also later booked in the jail on an unrelated count of auto theft, reported by the owner of the vehicle.

Muscarello is jailed in lieu of $46,000 bond.

Also, a couple was booked June 22 with possession with intent to distribute $150 worth of marijuana.

Bob Serpas, 20, and Megan Minor, 21, who were staying in a room at the apartment of Serpas’ father at 3316 Delambert Drive, Apt. 5, was arrested separately, booked with possession with intent to distribute the marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia in the form of a scale and rolling papers, Pohlmann said.

Sheriff’s narcotics agents went to the apartment while conducting an investigation. Serpas’ father consented to a search and more than 30 grams of marijuana was found in the room the couple shared. None was found in the father’s bedroom.

No bond information was available.

Anyone who suspects narcotics activity in St. Bernard can anonymously report it by calling the sheriff’s 271-DOPE hotline and leaving a message or by calling the general Sheriff’s Office number at 271-2501. All complaints will be investigated.

In a separate case, a Violet woman was booked July 3 with possession of a stolen auto.

Sadie N. Schneider, 34, 5005 E. St. Bernard Highway Violet, was arrested after she was spotted in Arabi driving a Toyota auto reported stolen in Jefferson Parish, Pohlmann said.

No bond information was available.

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Benefit concert and raffles to be held for Brogan Burns, 9, of Arabi on Sunday July 15, 2-5 p.m. at Juan’s Bar, 7419 West St. Bernard Highway, Arabi; He has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, which affects boys

A concert and raffle will be held Sunday, July 15, from 2-5 p.m. at Juan’s Bar, 7419 West St. Bernard Highway, Arabi, to benefit Brogan Burns, 9, who is diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Brogan is the son of Sheriff’s Deputy Clayten Burns and Michelle Burns.

Duchenne Musuclar Dystrophy, which primarly affects young males, occurs in about one of every 3,600 male infants. Brogran was diagnosed at age 4.

The benefit, which will have a $10 donation fee for adults and free for kids, will feature music by the band Hit N Run, with free food and drinks, a Spacewalk for youngsters and door prizes.

Raffle ticket prizes include a party pirogue filled with liquors and one week’s accommodations in Placenia, Belize.

Raffle tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10.

Duchenne Myscular Dystrophy is an inherited disorder that involves rapidly worsening muscle weakness. Because of the way the disease is inherited, males are more likely to develop symptoms than are females.

There is no known cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Treatment aims to control symptoms to maximize quality of life.

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U.S. Sen. Vitter holds community meeting in Chalmette, talks afterward about parish with President Peralta and Sheriff Pohlmann

U.S. Sen. David Vitter came to Chalmette on Monday for a Town Hall meeting with residents, then met afterwards in Parish President David Peralta’s office with Peralta, Sheriff James Pohlmann and members of the President’s staff to get an overview of matters relating to the parish. Items discussed included the reduced size of the parish tax base since Hurricane Katrina and its effect on public agencies, an update on crime in the parish, the new hospital scheduled to open soon and the marketing of the parish to attract business and more jobs. Shown, Peralta and Vitter are in the foreground and others at the table are, from left, parish government Chief Administrative Officer Jerry Graves Jr., parish attorney Jeanne Juneau, Sheriff Pohlmann, Director of Community Development Candace Watkins and Mike Bayhem, who is grants coordinator for parish government.

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St. Bernard has new sheriff for first time since 1984; Office passes from Jack Stephens to James Pohlmann

New Clerk of Court Randy Nunez, left, is surrounded by family members as he is sworn in by attorney Lance Licciardi.	The sheriff’s daughter, Victoria, celebrates her 8th birthday with a cake at the reception after her father is sworn in.
New Chief Deputy Richard Baumy, with his wife, Kim next to him, is sworn in by Justice John Weimer.	James Pohlmann, with wife, Monique next to him, as sworn in by Louisiana Supreme Court Justice John Weimer.

St. Bernard Parish has a new sheriff for the first time since 1984, with James Pohlmann accepting the reins July 1 from Jack A. Stephens and telling a crowd at his ceremonial swearing-in, “We are committed to fighting the problems of this parish.’’

“I am very proud to be sheriff of such a great Sheriff’s Office,’’ Pohlmann said after he was sworn in by Louisiana Supreme Court Associate Justice John Weimer of Thibodeaux in the Frederick Sigur Civic Center in Chalmette. Pohlmann’s wife, Monique, stood next to him for the swearing-in and children Justin, Victoria and Olivia were present.

The ceremony also included the swearing-in of new Clerk of Court Randy Nunez, which brings to an end 56 consecutive years in which the clerk’s office was run by the Torres family. Former Clerk Lena Torres was defeated last fall by Nunez and her husband, Sidney Torres Jr., was Clerk of Court from 1956 until his death in 1988, when Mrs. Torres took his place.

Pohlmann said he could barely wait for “all this (transition period) to be over and we can just go to work tomorrow.’’

He also said it’s no secret that like most cities in the nation the No. 1 crime problem in St. Bernard is illegal drugs, which lays waste lives and fuels other crimes such as burglary and theft as addicts look for anything to turn into cash to feed a habit.

“I challenge the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office’’ to be vigilant and suppress the specter of crime.

Pohlmann, a 29-year veteran of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office who began working there at 18 in 1983, noted, “It has been a long road to get us here.’’

Reflecting on the election to succeed Sheriff Stephens after his decision to retire, Pohlmann conceded politics can be an ugly process to go through. But he drew applause from supporters in the crowd when he added, “But we got it right.’’

The event Sunday was largely ceremonial because Weimer had already sworn in Pohlmann on Thursday, June 28, to avoid any break in service because Sheriff Stephens’ tenure was to end at midnight June 30.

Weimer on Sunday also gave the oath of office to new St. Bernard Chief Deputy Sheriff Richard Baumy, a veteran senior commander at the Sheriff’s Office and former New Orleans police homicide detective who was appointed by Pohlmann to be second-in-command. Baumy’s wife, Kim, stood next to him as he was administered his oath.

Also, dozens of sheriff’s deputies in the audience, wearing new khaki and Navy blue uniforms – replacing the black and grey uniforms worn since Stephens took over July 1, 1984 – were administered their oath en masse by Weimer. The judge’s Supreme Court district includes St. Bernard.

Early Sunday morning before their day shift began, patrol deputies, corrections officers, communications division employees and others were administered their oaths by Joann Lane of the Sheriff’s Office. Also, deputies working after midnight June 30 received their oaths Saturday night so there would be no break in their ability to carry out law enforcement functions.

New Clerk of Court Randy Nunez was sworn in Sunday at the Civic Center by attorney Lance Licciardi and Nunez’s deputy clerks were also sworn in.

Terms for sheriff and clerk of court run concurrent with the state’s fiscal year which begins July 1.

Weimer said from the stage he was honored to give the oath, saying he knows parish residents to be “resilient and tenacious,’’ as evidenced by the rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina.

Sheriff Stephens, retiring as the longest current serving sheriff in Louisiana and was master of ceremonies on Sunday, said he was proud to see Pohlmann sworn in.

“I know in my heart it will be a good thing for this parish because he will be a good sheriff,’’ Stephens said, and will have the interests of St. Bernard uppermost in his mind. Pohlmann was Chief Deputy Sheriff under Stephens for four years and five months.

Stephens was sworn into office July 1, 1984, after winning election in October 1983, and served seven terms in office. He is the second-longest serving sheriff in St. Bernard Parish history.

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