Children to have fun at Chalmette Home Depot Kids’ Safety Day on Sat., Oct. 6, 10 am to 1 pm, with Sheriff’s Office, Fire Dept., to display items

Children paint during one of the activities at the 2011 Kids Safety Day at the Chalmette Home Depot, which will hold the event again from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6.

A child looks at the Sheriff’s Office bomb robot used to check out suspicious items, which has been a popular feature each year at the annual Kids Safety Day at the Chalmette Home Depot on Judge Perez Drive. The robot will again be displayed at the Kids Safety Day being held this year on Saturday, Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Let the fun begin.

The annual Kids’ Safety Day on Saturday, Oct. 6, at the Home Depot Store in Chalmette will have face-painting, games, a workshop, food and special items displayed such as a robot from the Sheriff’s Office and a safety house from the Fire Department.

Children of all ages, accompanied by parents or guardians, can participate in the free annual event, said Tammy Hentze, operations manager of the Home Depot store on West Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette.

The session includes workshops where children are shown how to make things, face-painting and food for them.

Special items will also be on display for children. Sheriff James Pohlmann said equipment including a robot used to check out suspicious items, a SWAT team truck, boats and other things will be provided by the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Parish Fire Department officials said they will bring trucks and a mobile safety house to show kids how to drop and roll on the floor to escape a burning building.

State Police, the National Guard and Homeland Security will also have demonstrations of equipment for kids and adults.

Winn-Dixie and Breaux Mart supermarkets are also sponsors of the event.

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National Night Out Against Crime is Oct. 16 in St. Bernard; Call Sheriff’s Office at (504) 278-7628 to register a neighborhood event and have a deputy come out to discuss anti-crime tips

St. Bernard Parish will celebrate National Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday, Oct. 16, after seeing an uptick in participation in 2011 after the event was moved to October from its usual August night to escape the heat, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Other near-by parishes including Jefferson will also celebrate National Night Out on Oct. 16.

Sheriff Pohlmann said St. Bernard residents can call Capt. Charles Borchers at (504) 278-7628 to register a neighborhood Night Out event and have a sheriff’s deputy come out to give crime prevention tips and answer questions.

“It was so much nicer weather in October last year than it had been on previous August nights,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “You could see people were more inclined to be outside holding a get-together with others and it seemed to help participation in the events.’’

“We have usually had good cooperation with residents,’’ the sheriff said. Some 40 group events were held in St. Bernard last year, some at churches and public places as well at private homes.

“We encourage getting together as a way to show that people have taken a stand against crime and intend to watch out for each other’s property,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann also said, “It sends a message you care about your neighborhood.’’

“I feel we are winning the fight against crime’’ in St. Bernard, he said, evidenced by extremely low numbers of violent incidents – especially random incidents involving people who don’t know one another.

This year marks the 29th annual celebration of National Night Out Against Crime.

Anyone who sees something suspicious happening in their area should quickly call the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501 and try to give a description of people and vehicles involved. Narcotics activity can be reported either to the same number or the sheriff’s drug hotline at 271-DOPE.

Capt. Borchers also heads the Reserve Officers Division, Neighborhood Watch programs and coordinates the free classes held for Citizens Police Academy and the free Refuse to be a Victim program. Call Borchers at 278-7628 if interested in participating in any of these programs or if you are a parish resident and would like to become a reserve deputy.

“St. Bernard needs everyone to pull together to remain a safe place to raise a family,” Borchers said. He said taking part in a neighborhood gathering is a great way to resolve to keep your eyes open for anything suspicious in your neighborhood.

National Night Out Against Crime is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and was introduced in 1984 to strengthen participation in local anti-crime efforts.

Last year’s National Night Out campaign involved more than 30 million nationally, including residents, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses and at military bases.

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Three sheriff’s deputies, Eric Eilers, Robert Mire and Skyler Rauch, graduate P.O.S.T. academy; Rauch was first in overall academics

Sheriff Pohlmann, on stage for the ceremonies, presrnts Deputy Eric Eilers his certificate.

Sheriff Pohlmann on stage with Deputy Skyler Rauch.

Three more St. Bernard Parish sheriff’s deputies, all of whom are working in the Corrections Division, were graduated from the Peace Officers Standards and Training, or P.O.S.T., academy held at the Slidell Regional Police Academy Sept. 15, with the ceremony at Slidell High.

Graduating from St. Bernard were Sheriff’s Deputies Eric Eilers, a second-generation law enforcement officer, Robert Mire and Skyler Rauch. Rauch finished first in overall academics and scored in third place on the P.O.S.T. final exam.

Sheriff James Pohlmann, Chief Deputy Richard Baumy and Maj. David DiMaggio, director of training for the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office, all attended the ceremony and the sheriff gave Eilers and Rauch their graduation certificates. Retired FBI Special Agent Jim Mire, who also was a former contract employee of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office, presented the certificate to his nephew, Robert Mire.

The group, which besides St. Bernard included officers from the Slidell Police Department, Plaquemines Sheriff’s Office, Orleans Sheriff’s Office, Tangipahoa Sheriff’s Office, Covington Police, Pearl River Police and the Louisiana Army National Guard, had more than 400 hours of training. Subjects included firearms use, investigation, writing reports, driving training and other areas of police work.

Roy McCann, director of the Slidell Regional Police Academy, gave the welcome address.

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Five more arrested who were wanted for distribution of drugs in “Operation Summer Heat”; Nine left from the 42 sought by S.O. since Sept. 20

Four more men and one woman have been arrested who were wanted in St. Bernard Parish for distribution of drugs in “Operation Summer Heat,” leaving nine men left from the 42 people sought by the Sheriff’s Office since a round-up began Sept. 20, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

The undercover investigation, which began last April, concentrated on stamping out an upswing in crack cocaine distribution seen on the streets by authorities.

Thirty-three men and women have been arrested or surrendered after a list of those wanted was made public, Sheriff Pohlmann said. Of the 42 individuals, 27 involved cases of crack cocaine distribution, and 15 were for heroin, marijuana and prescription pills.

The latest arrests include:

Crack distribution:

Jermaine Miller,                           31	2115 Licciardi Lane, Violet
Temeka Jones,                          26	2717 Guerra Drive, Violet
Ryan Major,                               24	2101 River Queen Dr., Violet.
Kordell Moore,                            19	2424 Colonial Blvd.,Violet.

Marijuana distribution:

 

Samuel Lewis,                            40

3013 Daniel Drive, Violet

The following suspects wanted on warrants alleging distribution of drugs re-main at-large.

Anyone knowing their whereabouts should call the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501 or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 and they could be eligible for a reward.

 

Justin Barthelemy,                     26	2907 Stacie Dr., Violet.
Reginald Tucker,                       27	312 E. Celestine St., Chalmette.
Tyren Sylve,                             28	2837 Guerra Dr., Violet.
Joseph Smiles,                          43	2021 Walkers Lane, Meraux.
Ronald Hudson,                        41	2424 St. Matthew Cr., Violet.
Quatraine Washington,              33	2213 Delta Queen Dr., Violet.
Albert McDermott,                    56	3112 Delta Queen Dr. Violet.
Corey Robin,                            22	312 E. Celestine St. Apt. C, Chalmette.
Ceaser Smith,                           23	3514 Evangeline Dr., Chalmette.

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42 arrest warrants issued for drug suspects in an operation called ‘Summer Heat. As of 8am, 15 suspects have been arrested.

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office began rounding up 42 drug suspects in an operation called “Summer Heat” targeting mostly distributors of crack cocaine, heroin and pills according to Sheriff James Pohlmann.

Sheriff James Pohlmann and Major Chad Clarke said narcotic units began making buys in April when the department noticed an uptick in drug activity. Arrests were being made today in Violet, Chalmette and other areas. As of 8am almost 15 suspects have been picked up, all of which had arrest warrants for distribution of drugs.

Several law enforcement agencies were expected to assist in the operation, including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and State Police. More information will follow.

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S.O. cracks down on street drug sales, ending 5-month “Operation Summer Heat’’ investigation with round-up of 42 dealers; Were 27 cases of crack cocaine distribution, 15 for heroin, marijuana and pills

Sheriff’s Office Cpt. Richard Jackson applies handcuffs to suspect David Bennett, wanted for crack cocaine distribution, outside the door of Bennett’s residence in the drug round-up conducted Thursday by the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office. Also shown is State Police Sgt. Jody Hasselback.

Adam Ciuffi Sr., wanted for distribution of prescription drugs, is brought to a staging area after his arrest. Shown are St. Bernard sheriff’s deputies, from left, Darren Trandacosta and Sgt. Darren Miller.

Trying to stamp out street drug sales, the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office ended a 5-month undercover investigation called “Operation Summer Heat,’’ with a pre-dawn round-up Thursday, looking for 42 people wanted for distribution of drugs including crack cocaine, heroin, marijuana and pills, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

About 25 people had been arrested by mid afternoon. Three were already in jail on unrelated charges. All will go before a judge on Friday to have bond set.

The investigation and subsequent “buys’’ of narcotics began last April, said Pohlmann and Maj. Chad Clark, commander of the Special Investigations Division which includes the Narcotics Unit.

While the investigation was conducted by St. Bernard narcotics officers, other law enforcement agencies including the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and State Police, took part in the round-up of drug suspects.

Twenty-seven of the arrest warrants were for distribution of crack cocaine and 15 for distribution of heroin, marijuana and pills. Of the 42 suspects, five are women.

Most of the suspects live in Violet but arrests were also made in Chalmette, Meraux and in New Orleans. One gun was recovered during the arrest of a man in Chalmette.

“We think the cases are rock-solid,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “All of the buys were video-taped’’ and the sellers were identified before warrants of arrest were sought from judges, he said.

The arrests should make a dent in street sales in St. Bernard Parish, the he said.

Sheriff Pohlmann also said, “One reason we enjoy a low level of violence in this parish is because we don’t let drug-dealers stand on corners and end up killing each other over drug turf and customers.’’

“We have zero tolerance for drug-dealing,’’ the sheriff said. “Users need treatment. Drug dealers need to go to jail. They profit from ruining people’s lives.’’

Clark said St. Bernard officers “are committed to stopping drug-dealing.’’

The sheriff said “Operation Summer heat’’ began after, “We saw an uptick in the amount of crack cocaine on the streets’’ earlier this year.

Due to this increase, members of the Special Investigations Division, with the assistance of an undercover operative, started an investigation into the distribution of crack cocaine, Pohlmann and Clark said.

Of the 42 suspects, many are repeat offenders.

The combined ciminal history of the 42 suspects shows:

Misdemeanor Charges              492	Narcotics Charges                         161
Felony Charges                       156	Currently on Probation                     8

The following suspects were wanted on warrants alleging distribution of drugs:

1	Tramayne Santiago,                 42	2337 River Queen, Violet.
2	Bryon Bienemy,                       37	5636 Sixth St., Violet.
3	Justin Barthelemy,                   26	2907 Stacie Dr., Viole.
4	Regionald Tucker,                   27	312 E. Celestine St., Chalmette.
5	Tyren Sylve,                           28	2837 Guerra Dr., Violet.
6	Jeffery Alveris,                        37	3401 Ashley Dr., Violet.
7	Joseph Smiles,                        43	2021 Walkers Lane, Meraux.
8	John Smiles,                           27	2021 Walkers Lane, Meraux.
9	Samuel Lewis,                         40	3013 Daniel Dr., Violet.
10	Temeka Jones,                       26	2717 Guerra Dr., Violet.
11	Dominique Johnson,                22	2412 Elizabeth Ct., Violet.
12	Dondre Johnson	2412 Elizabeth Ct. Violet.
13	Adam Ciuffi Sr.,                       65	2540 Lawrence Lane, Meraux.
14	Justina Lemoinee,                   36	408 Reiss Place Chalmette.
15	Kordell Moore,                        19	2424 Colonial Blvd.,Violet.
16	Chad Taplet,                          32	2309 Bartolo Dr., Meraux.
17	Remus Reed,                          23	2716 Guerra Dr., Violet.
18	Sean LeFlore	12330 I-10 Service Rd., N.O.
19	Tyrus Duplessis,                      44	2501 St. Matthew Cr., Violet.
20	Dwayne LeFlore,                     36	2805 Stacie Dr., Violet.
21	David Bennett,                       26	2325 River Queen Dr., Violet.
22	Ronald Hudson,                       41	2424 St. Matthew Cr., Violet.
23	Gillroy Merrill,                           45	10830 Rogers Dr., New Orleans.
24	Michael Merrill,                         52	2407 Barrone St., New Orleans.
25	Travann Major,                        26	3516 Ventura Dr. Chalmette, LA
26	Quartraine Washington,           33	2213 Delta Queen Dr., Violet.
27	Danmond Domolle,                  32	3010 Stacie Dr., Violet.
28	Albert McDermott,                  56	3112 Delta Queen Dr. Violet.
29	Freida Cousin,                         48	2117 Torres Drive, Violet.
30	Kevin Wagner,                        31	109 Mickey Lane, Braithwaite.
31	Kellie Klingman-Vansickle,          48	2509 MaryAnn Dr., Meraux.
32	Corey Robin,                           22	312 E. Celestine St. Apt. C, Chalmette.
33	Rhiannon Coleman,                  21	2526 Myrtle Grove Dr., Meraux.
34	Kenneth Simon,                      26	2000 Mumphrey Rd., Chalmette.
35	William Young,                        49	1949 Selos Ct., Chalmette.
36	Ceaser Smith,                         23	3514 Evangeline Dr., Chalmette.
37	Ryan Major,                            24	2101 River Queen Dr., Violet.
38	Jermaine Miller,                       31	2125 Licciardi lane, Violet
39	Terry Lachney,                       36	2205 Bartolo Dr., Violet.
40	Heidi Lachney,                        40	2201 Green Ave., Poydras.
41	Alvin Normand,                       33	2201 Green Ave., Poydras.
42	Glennard Garnett,                   29	2218 Guerra Dr., Violet.

 

Both Bennett and Ciuffi were out on bonds from previous arrests which hadn’t been adjudicated when they were arrested in the drug round-up on Thursday.

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St. Bernard arrests and charges in Sept. 20 drug round-up:

Booked with distribution of crack cocaine:

Gillroy Merrill,                                      45	10830 Rogers Dr., New Orleans.
Michael Merrill,                                    52	2407 Barrone St., New Orleans.
John Smiles,                                      27	2021 Walkers Lane, Meraux.
Sean LeFlore,                                    37	12330 I-10 Service Rd., N.O.
Rhiannon Colemann,                           21	2526 Myrtle Grove Dr., Meraux.
Dwayne LeFlore,                                36	2805 Stacie Dr., Violet.
Dominique Johnson,                           22	2412 Elizabeth Ct., Violet.
Dondre Johnson,                                19	2412 Elizabeth Ct. Violet.
Remus Reed,                                     23	12716 Guerra Dr., Violet.
Danmond Demolle,                             32	3010 Stacie Dr., Violet.
Jeffery Alverez,                                  37	3401 Ashley Dr., Violet.
David Bennett,                                  26	2325 River Queen Dr., Violet
Tramayne Santiago,                            42	2337 River Queen, Violet.
Tyrus Duplessis,                                 44	2501 St. Matthew Cr., Violet.
Bryon Bienemy,                                  37	5636 Sixth St., Violet.
Travaun Major,                                  26	3516 Ventura Dr. Chalmette.

Booked with distribution of heroin:

Chad Taplet,                                      32

2309 Bartolo Dr., Meraux.

Booked with distribution of Suboxone:

Adam Ciuffi Sr.,                                  65

2540 Lawrence Lane, Meraux.

Booked with methadone distribution:

William Young, 49

1949 Selos Ct., Chalmette

Marijuana distribution:

Kevin Wagner,                           31	109 Mickey Lane, Braithwaite
Freida Cousin,                            48	2117 Torres Drive, St. Bernard community

Prescription drug charges:

Adam Ciuffi Sr., 65, 2540 Lawrence Lane, Meraux, distributing Suboxone.
Kenneth Simon, 26, 2000 Mumphrey Rd., Chalmette, distributing a Legend drug.
Kellie Klingman-Vansickle, 48, 2509 MaryAnn Dr., Meraux, distributing Lortab.
Justina Lemoinee, 36, 408 Reiss Place Chalmette, distributing Lortab and Xanax.
Terry Lachney, 36, 2205 Bartolo Dr., Meraux, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance and obtaining a CDS by fraud and obtaining a Legend drug by fraud.
Heidi Lachney, 40, 2201 Green Ave., Poydras, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, obtaining a CDS by fraud and obtaining a Legend drug by fraud.
Alvin Normand, 33, 2201 Green Ave., Poydras, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, obtaining a CDS by fraud and obtaining a Legend drug by fraud.

Both Bennett and Ciuffi were out on bonds from previous arrests which hadn’t been adjudicated when they were arrested in the drug round-up on Thursday.

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Property possibly stolen seized in theft arrest; Also, one man arrested for attempted burglary and another for not registering as a sex offender

Charles Lanier, booked with failure to register as a sex offender.

Patrick Vaughn, booked with theft in which large amount of possibly stolen property recovered.

A large amount of property that was possibly stolen was seized in an arrest of a St. Bernard Parish man on a theft charge on Sept. 17, while separately, another man was arrested for attempted house burglary and one for failure to register as a sex offender, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Patrick Vaughn, 31, 2209 E. Christie Drive in the Poydras area, was arrested Sept. 17 after he was identified as the person seen stealing an item from a truck parked outside a bar in eastern St. Bernard Parish on Sept. 11, Pohlmann said.

A judge issued a warrant for Vaughn’s arrest on a theft count and later a search warrant for his home was issued.

Sheriff’s detectives arrested Vaughn at his residence and during a search numerous items were found which authorities suspect had been stolen, including a flat-screen television, a GPS, other electronic equipment and a life vest, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Vaughn was booked into St. Bernard Parish Prison and been released on bond.

Separately, Patrick Deffes, 50, 1712 Gnell Drive in eastern St. Bernard Parish, was booked with attempted burglary of a residence and criminal damage for breaking a window in the attempt, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

One witness saw Deffes in the yard of a man who wasn’t home and a second witness said he saw Deffes break a window in an attempt to enter the residence, the sheriff said.

Deffes was arrested after the person who lives at the home was reached and said he didn’t give Deffes permission to be on his property or enter the home.

Deffes is being held in Parish Prison in lieu of $16,000 bond set in the case.

Also, Charles Lanier, 34, whose last address was in Chalmette, was arrested recently for failure to register as a sex offender with the Sheriff’s Office after changing addresses, which is a felony, and with resisting an officer who arrested him, Pohlmann said.

A judge had issued a warrant for Lanier’s arrest for failure to register and he was spotted walking in Arabi but ran from officers and struggled with them before he was taken into custody, the sheriff said.

He is being held without bond.

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Chalmette man, 81, killed early Monday when struck by a car while walking on Paris Road

An 81-year-old Chalmette man was killed early Monday while walking on Paris Road when he was struck by a car driven by a Violet woman, according to State Police Troop B, which handled the investigation.

Joseph Gioe was walking in the right lane of the roadway about 6:30 a.m. when he was struck, authorities said.

He was transported to the Interim LSU Public Hospital Level 1 Trauma Center, where he later died from his injuries.

State Police said a preliminary investigation showed a 2004 Mercedes C230, driven by Deborah Riedel, 41, of Violet, was traveling north on Paris Road near East D’Amour Street, in the right lane, when she struck Gioe.

Speed and impairment are not suspected as factors of the crash, however, toxicology results are pending. Riegel wasn’t cited in the incident but the crash remains under investigation, State Police said.

Troopers urge both motorists and pedestrians to remain vigilant while on area roadways and pay close attention to their surroundings. Distraction, whether behind the wheel or as a pedestrian, decreases awareness and reaction time.

Louisiana state law requires pedestrians to utilize sidewalks where accessible or walk along the left shoulder as far away from the roadway as possible. Pedestrians should walk against the flow of traffic, wear light colored clothing, and stay out of the travel lanes at all times.

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S.O. investigates burglary at St. Bernard school and theft of $15,000 in goods donated for Hurricane Isaac victims in Plaquemines; Anyone with info. should call 504-271-2501 or Crimestopprs at (504) 822-1111

Suzanne Shaffer looks over donated clothes at Lynn Oaks School, where she discovered a burglary of $15,000 of goods on Sunday.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Cpl. Shane Lulei and Suzanne Shaffer, who heads the effort by the Team Braithwaite Foundation to collect and distribute donated goods for victims of Hurricane Isaac flooding, discusses a burglary and theft of $15,000 in goods discovered on Sunday. Behind them are other donated items not stolen.

St. Bernard Parish sheriff’s detectives are investigating the weekend burglary at a private school in which some $15,000 of goods donated to help victims of Hurricane Isaac flooding on the East Bank of Plaquemines Parish was stolen, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Anyone with info. should call 504-271-2501 or Crimestopprs at (504) 822-1111.

The burglary at Lynn Oaks School near the Plaquemines Parish line was discovered Sunday about 1:30 p.m. by Suzanne Shaffer, who is heading up efforts by the Team Braithwaite Foundation which has been collecting and distributing items to victims.

Stolen goods including miscellaneous baby items, including numerous diapers, food and cleaning items.

Detectives processed the scene in an effort to find finger prints and other evidence. There are no known suspects at this time, the sheriff said.

“How low-class can people get,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said of the burglary. “You have to have no shame to do this. This effort to collect donations for victims of Isaac has been going on since the storm,’’ where some East Plaquemines residents lost everything in 10-13 feet of flood water, Sheriff Pohlmann said. “This was obviously aimed at stealing what had been donated.

“We are investigating and whoever did this deserves the maximum sentence when they are found,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Shaffer, who lives in East Plaquemines said her son, Jesse Shaffer, began the effort to collect items for victims – using the Internet – and it took off. Church groups and many others have gotten involved.

She said the burglary is devastating.

“It’s sickening,’’ Shaffer said as she stood among collected items that weren’t stolen, saying she discovered the break-in when she went to Lynn Oaks on Sunday to deliver more donated items collected at a rally Saturday night.

The thieves took nearly everything for infants, as well as almost all cleaning supplies, she said.

“It’s really sickening to me they took all the things collected to help firefighters in Plaquemines Parish’’ whose homes were destroyed, Shaffer said.

She also said it had to be someone who has been to the school or heard of the effort to collect donations. But Shaffer said she didn’t know of specific suspects.

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