St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office seeks names of two women who bought $4,000 in gift cards with stolen credit cards from purses taken in public buildings

The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office is trying to identify two women who bought $4,000 in gift cards with stolen credit cards from purses taken in two public buildings in Chalmete, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Anyone with information on their names and whereabouts should call Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 or the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501 and they could be eligible for a reward if arrests are made.

One purse was stolen Aug. 2 at a health clinic in Chalmette and the other on Aug. 10 at a public school building, Pohlmann said.

Credit cards were used to purchase $4,000 in gift cards at department stores in Slidell and Waveland, Ms., the sheriff said.

Video surveillance cameras captured images of the women walking in one store.

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Sheriff James Pohlmann and Parish President David Peralta were guest speakers at the Oak Ridge Park Civic Association meeting

Sheriff James Pohlmann and Parish President David Peralta were guest speakers at the Oak Ridge Park Civic Association meeting in Violet the night of Monday, Aug. 13, held at Christian Fellowship Worship Center. The sheriff and president answered questions from a crowd of about 20 members of the group, who expressed concerns to Sheriff Pohlmann about a number of topics including speeding in the neighborhood, people loitering in some areas and trespassers going into houses still abandoned since Hurricane Katrina. They also asked President Peralta about blighted housing, drainage problems and the need for No Truck Route signs at the two entrances to the subdivision. The sheriff also told the group a Tax Compliance Division, headed by Capt. Wayne Babin, has been set up to go to commercial enterprises to ensure they have an occupation license and are collecting and paying sales taxes to the parish. Babin can be reached at 278-7676. Shown, President Peralta and Sheriff Pohlmann talk with members.

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New Orleans man captured after being sought for robberies at pharmacies in St. Bernard and N.

A man wanted for robberies of pharmacies in St. Bernard Parish and New Orleans in which he stole money from cash registers was arrested Tuesday by a U.S. Marshal’s Service fugitive task force which included officers from both parishes involved.

Christopher Dunbar, 42, who is on parole until 2024 for a past armed robbery conviction, was arrested in an eastern New Orleans pool hall and was to be booked in New Orleans and St. Bernard Parish with simple robbery, St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Dunbar stole money from a cash register on Aug. 6 at a Walgreen’s at Elysian Fields Avenue at Gentilly Boulevard in New Orleans and on Aug. 8 at a Walgreen’s at Judge Perez Drive at Paris Road in Chalmette, authorities said.

Warrants alleging simple robbery were issued for Dunbar’s arrest in both parishes.

A witness got a license plate number of the vehicle that fled after the Aug. 6 robbery in New Orleans and it was traced to Dunbar’s mother, who is the owner. That led to identification of Dunbar.

Also, the clerks in the stores who were working the registers during the robberies have both identified Dunbar from photo line-ups, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

In both cases, he was in line at a register behind others and when the register was opened he forced his way past them, reached over and stole money and fled. No weapon was displayed.

Pohlmann said that in the Chalmette robbery, which happened about 2:30 a.m., a second man described as older than Dunbar was waiting outside and fled with him in a vehicle. The other man hasn’t been identified.

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Sheriff Pohlmann visits Arc Center in Chalmette, which provides activities for intellectually disabled adults

Sheriff James Pohlmann meets and speaks with adults who attend the Arc Center in Chalmette. They were holding a meeting of their Aktion Club, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of St. Bernard Parish.

Alex Boudreaux, visitor to the Arc and son of Arc Center volunteer Polly Campbell, holds up the American flag for the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of the program as attendees stand.

St. Bernard Parish Sheriff James Pohlmann was heartily greeted when he and Community Relations head Capt. Charles Borchers recently visited the Arc of Greater New Orleans center in Chalmette, which provides a support system for intellectually disabled adults in St. Bernard and part of New Orleans.

The center opened in the last year in the rebuilt former rectory of the now closed Prince of Peace Catholic Church at 3700 Jean Lafitte Parkway and helps more than 20 adults who range in age from their 20s to 70.

They spend the day at the center Monday through Friday, taking part in supervised activities including community service projects.

“We are so glad to be here and see what you are doing,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said to the group, some of whom wanted to pose for photos with the sheriff. “We are reaching out to different parts of the community.”

He told them they have a role to play in helping keep the parish safe by telling someone if they see something wrong or suspicious in their neighborhoods or see someone who has been injured, so the Sheriff’s Office can be alerted.

During the sheriff’s visit, the adults were holding a meeting of their Aktion Club, a special arm of the local Kiwanis Club. Taking part in the Aktion Club were civic leaders Polly Campbell, former clerk of the Parish Council, and Judy Hoffmeister, a former Council member – both of whom helped bring the Arc Center to Chalmette – and Billy Showalter, President of the Knights of Nemesis Social Club and Carnival Parade. All three are members of the St. Bernard Kiwanis Club.

Kristi Andre is program coordinator for the Arc Center in Chalmette.

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Man arrested with $5,400 worth of steroids in 18 boxes of one vial each; Woman booked with 7 bags of marijuana and $1,833 cash in three stacks

Mark Fortuna, arrested with $5,400 worth of steroids in St. Bernard Parish

Ashleigh Sosa of Destrahan, booked with 7 bags of marijuana and $1,833 cash in three stacks

A Meraux man was arrested with $5,400 worth of anabolic steroids in 18 boxes of one vial each hidden in his home after sheriff’s narcotics officers were called there on a possible overdose of another man who had been there but left, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Mark Fortuna, 28, 3001 St. Marie, was booked with possession of a Schedule III controlled dangerous substance, an anabolic steroid known as Sustanon 250.

Fortuna, also booked with probation violation, was being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of bond set at $8,000. He has a probation hold from Louisiana state probation officials that would prevent his release on bond.

Officers of the Narcotics Unit attempted to make contact at Fortuna’s residence on July 25 to check out the report of someone possibly overdosing and made a forced entry when no one answered the door, Pohlmann said.

When they got inside they found Fortuna, who appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance. He said the person that someone reported may be overdosing there had left with another man.

While some officers secured the scene, others went to the home of the man they sought and after finding him there also apparently under the influence of a drug, they saw drug paraphernalia in the residence booked him and another man with possession of the paraphernalia, Pohlmann said. Medical help was also called in.

At Fortuna’s residence, Louisiana probation and parole agents arrived to conduct a compliance search of the home, with deputies on the scene, because Fortuna is on probation, the sheriff said.

An agent located the 18 boxes of steroids worth about $5,400 in the residence and Fortuna was arrested.

The sheriff said that in an unrelated case, Ashleigh Sosa, 25, of Destrehan was booked the night of July 26 with possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Seven small bags of marijuana and three stacks of cash containing $1,833 were found in the vehicle when she was stopped by Sheriff’s Dep. Tommy Lala for a traffic violation.

Sosa also had several hand-rolled cigarettes of marijuana and numerous small clear plastic bags used in distribution of drugs.

She was booked into St. Bernard Parish Prison but has been released on bond. The bond amount wasn’t available.

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First month in office was a swirl of activity as S.O. realigned its command staff, made spending cuts and unveiled new uniforms, badges and patches

After being sworn-in as sheriff on July 1, the rest of the month was a swirl of activity as we realigned some of our command staff, made significant spending cuts and unveiled new uniforms, arm patches and a new badge.

We will continue working on the budget to lower costs and are still working toward a new style for Sheriff’s Office vehicles, which will be black and white with the emblem of the badge on the side.

A realignment of some of our command staff and rank structure has been accomplished and it positions us well for the future. The command staff is made up almost entirely of graduates of the FBI National Training Academy, which I am proud to say.

I have said for some time I believe the Sheriff’s Office is putting its best team on the field that we have ever had.

I am very fortunate to have Richard Baumy, a veteran of both the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office and a former homicide detective for the New Orleans Police Department, as Chief Deputy Sheriff.

Others on the staff include:

Col. David Mowers, head of the Corrections Division; Col. John Doran, Operations Commander; John Vickers, Director of Administration; Maj. Mark Poche, head of Special Operations Division; Maj. Pete Tufaro, head of Technical Services; Maj. Chad Clark, head of Special Investigations Division.

Maj. Robert McNab, head of the Criminal Investigations Bureau; Maj. Adolph Kreger, Patrol Division; Maj. David DiMaggio, Training Director; Maj. Mitch Roussell, head of the Communications Division; Maj. Kevin Sensebe, Assistant Warden.

We have also added another training officer position in our department.

I intend this Sheriff’s Office to be all about the training we can provide for our deputies. It’s part of our constant No. 1 goal: Protection of the parish and suppression of crime.

Our officers have gotten many compliments from St. Bernard Parish residents and from other law enforcement agencies on the new look of the uniforms. They were bought from seizures of cash and vehicles in drug arrests, money that couldn’t be used in the regular operation of the Sheriff’s Office.

We now have khaki-colored shirts for deputies, with navy blue pants which have a double pin stripe down the side. Ranking officers have white shirts. We think the new uniform, patch and six-pointed badge are distinctive and sharp. Chime in with your opinion the next time you see one of our men or women in uniform.

There were other changes in July.

The department budget has been worked on as sales tax revenue has fallen from what it was before Hurricane Katrina – the same problem numerous public agencies have had in the New Orleans area.

Some of the things we have done include placing a hiring freeze at the Sheriff’s Office. We have not hired anyone since Jan.1. In the meantime, the number of employees has shrunk from about 315 to less than 290 as some have retired and some went to other jobs.

Also changed is the take-home car policy under which deputies pay $150 a month for the right to use a vehicle when they are off-duty.

Now, under a new policy, those who live outside St. Bernard Parish aren’t eligible to take home a department vehicle, which saves on insurance costs, gasoline costs and overall wear-and-tear.

And there have also been other changes resulting in savings.

We still have some chipping away to do but we are getting where I want to be.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office and NOPD seek man who committed “simple robbery” in two pharmacies, reaching in to steal money from cash registers

A New Orleans man who committed what is called “simple robbery” recently in pharmacies in both New Orleans and Chalmette, reaching in and stealing money from cash registers while in line, is wanted by both New Orleans police and the St. Bernard Parish sheriff’s Office.

Christopher Dunbar, 42, who is on parole until 2024 for a past armed robbery conviction, wore the same clothing while stealing money from a cash register on Aug. 6 at a Walgreen’s at Elysian Fields Avenue at Gentilly Boulevard in New Orleans and on Aug. 8 at a Walgreen’s at Judge Perez Drive at Paris Road in Chalmette, authorities said.

Warrants alleging simple robbery were issued for Dunbar’s arrest in New Orleans and Chalmette.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Dunbar, last seen driving a gray-colored Chevy Malibu taken from his mother in New Orleans, should call Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 and they could be eligible for a reward if it leads to his arrest, St. Bernard Sheriff Pohlmann said. The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office can be reached at 271-2501.

Pohlmann said his department, NOPD and Walgreen’s security officials are working together to identify and find Dunbar before anyone is hurt in another robbery attempt.

A witness got a license plate number of the vehicle that fled after the Aug. 6 robbery in New Orleans and it was traced to Dunbar’s mother who is the owner. That led to identification of Dunbar.

Later, the clerk’s in the stores who were working at the registers during the robberies both identified Dunbar from photo line-ups, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

In both cases, he was in line at a register behind others and when the register was opened he forced his way past them, reached over and stole money and fled. No one saw a weapon.

Pohlmann said that in the Chalmette robbery, which happened about 2:30 a.m., a second man described as older than Dunbar and with gray facial hair was seen standing outside the store. A witness said Dunbar ran out and screamed to the other man, “Let’s go man, we gotta go,’’ and both fled in the gray Malibu, heading eastbound on Judge Perez Drive.

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With schools starting Monday, Sheriff’s Office asks drivers to think safety: Obey school zone speed limits, watch for students near schools and buses picking up or unloading; Buckle up kids in proper type seats

With St. Bernard Parish schools starting Monday, Aug. 13, the Sheriff’s Office is reminding drivers to think safety, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

“Obey school zone speed limits in the mornings and afternoons,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “Watch for students walking in the areas near schools and remember to buckle up your kids in proper seating for their age when driving them to or from school.’’

Be prepared for school buses to stop to pick up or unload students.

Also, the Sheriff’s Office will have extra patrols by deputies in school areas the first week and drivers should be cautious regarding the construction that has been going on at many schools in the parish, the sheriff said.

“It is so important for drivers to be aware of school zones, children walking to or from school and school buses stopping to pick up or drop off kids,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “You don’t want to have a mental lapse and make a mistake you would regret forever.”

Most school zone speed limits are 20 MPH, Sheriff Pohlmann said, and drivers who know where schools are located should start slowing down well before they reach a school zone.

Also, remember to buckle children in seats appropriate for their ages, the sheriff said.

“The back seat is the safest place seat for young kids,’’ he said. “Auto accidents are leading cause of death of children 5-15 years of age. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has said children up to age 12 are safest riding in the back seat.

Young children should be in rear-facing seats and never place a rear-facing infant seat on the front passenger seat because serious injury could occur if the airbag deploys and hits the child.

For full child passenger safety information, including where to find safety seat inspection stations, go online to www.nhtsa.gov to learn more.

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N.O. man arrested after deputies find thousands of DVDs of movies and musical CDs he “burned’’ for sale in an SUV rigged to download from the Internet

A New Orleans man who had a movie and music factory on wheels was arrested when St. Bernard Parish sheriff’s deputies found thousands of DVDs of movies and musical CDs he “burned’’ for sale in an SUV he rigged to download from the Internet, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Ronald Johnson, 40, 5102 E. Nemours St., was booked July 29 with making for distribution unauthorized movie and sound reproductions and with possessing equipment for making unauthorized reproductions. He has been released on bond from St. Bernard Parish Prison but the bond amount wasn’t available.

Johnson showed Sheriff’s Deputy James Norsworthy and Sgt. Marco Spicuzza 1,643 copied DVDs and about 1,200 copied CDs he had in his vehicle – along with equipment for burning them after downloading from the Internet, the sheriff said. There were also numerous blanks DVDs and CDs in the vehicle.

The officers had answered a call about a suspicious person in the parking area of the sheriff’s Communications Center and the Palms Casino in Chalmette about 2:30 a.m.

Johnson, who gave permission to search the vehicle, acknowledged he was downloading movies and music from a web site on the Internet and selling copies to customers he had, Sheriff Pohlmann said. He said he kept portable DVD players in the vehicle so buyers could preview the quality of movies they bought them.

Johnson also said he sold movies currently out in release at theaters as well as others.

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Sheriff’s Office names head of tax compliance division to assist in collection of occupational licenses, sales and use taxes from commercial enterprises

St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office Capt. Wayne J. Babin has been named head of a tax compliance division to assist in collection of an occupational license, sales and use taxes from commercial enterprises, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

The appointment of Babin, who has been with the Sheriff’s Office since 1978, is effective immediately.

Babin’s duties will include visiting commercial establishments conducting businesses in the parish to ensure compliance with proper reporting procedures and payment of their occupational license and sales and use taxes.

He will also assist businesses in complying with applicable laws and regulations, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

For more information or to ask questions, contact Babin at (504) 278-7676.

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