Five teen-agers from New Orleans arrested after a series of incidents in Chalmette in which two people were struck by shots from a BB-gun and others were fired upon

Five teen-age males from New Orleans were arrested in Chalmette after a series of incidents in which several people were struck by shots from a BB-gun, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

The names of the five weren’t released because they are all juveniles.

A 31-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman were hit by BB shots on Pakenham Drive in Chalmette in separate incidents minutes apart, but neither were seriously injured, the sheriff said. The incidents happened early Sunday evening, May 11.

The man was struck by three BB shots when the group of teens tried to rob him in the 2300 block of Pakenham but he didn’t turn over any money. The woman was also hit by three BB shots when they tried to force her off a bicycle in the 2400 block of Pakenham, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

The teens also fired a BB-gun at but didn’t hit several others in separate incidents, including a woman in a car, a man outside a residence and two juveniles who were outside their home, the sheriff said. Several BB shots hit the vehicle the woman was driving, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

The teen-agers, one 16 years old, two who are 14, a 13-year-old and one 11, were arrested on charges ranging from attempted robbery and aggravated battery to resisting arrest and criminal damage to property.

All were arrested by deputies in the Patrol Division shortly after residents called in about the incidents. The five were booked into the parish Juvenile Detention Center.

The BB gun used in the incidents wasn’t found, the sheriff said.

The 14-year-old, who was the first of the group to be caught, had BBs and CO2 propellants on him when taken to the detention center.

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Bryson Polk and Celeste Scheuermann, both of Chalmette, receive $500 scholarships from La. Sheriff’s Assoc. Scholarship Program; He will attend LSU and she to ULL

Bryson Polk and Celeste Scheuermann, both of Chalmette, have been named recipients of $500 academic scholarships from the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association Scholarship Program for the 2013-2014 school year, Sheriff James Pohlmann announced.

Bryson, son of Bryan and Elaine Polk, is graduating Brother Martin High School and will attend Louisiana State University and major in mechanical engineering. He played football in high school.

Celeste, daughter of John and Kathryn Scheuermann, is graduating Cabrini High School and will attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she will pursue kinesiology as a field of study. She played volleyball and participated in track and field in high school.

The Sheriff’s Scholarship is funded through donations to the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association Honorary Membership Program. Louisiana sheriffs provide scholarships to graduating high school students from each parish in which the sheriff is an affiliate of the program.

Qualities including academic achievement, leadership and character are considered in making selections of Sheriff’s scholarship recipients. Applicants must be residents of Louisiana and the scholarships must be used in higher education within the state.

The St. Bernard Parish’s Sheriff’s Office participates in the Sheriff’s Association program and Sheriff Pohlmann met with the winners and family members.

Sheriff Pohlmann said, “What I like about the program is it invests in Louisiana’s future and gives something back to our community. This wouldn’t be possible without the kind and generous support of St. Bernard Parish’s honorary members in the Louisiana Sheriff’s Honorary Membership Program.’’

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St. Bernard parish to conduct a test of its emergency siren system

As part of the on-going testing of the parish’s readiness capabilities, the St. Bernard Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness said it will conduct a test of its Emergency Siren System on Tuesday, June 3rd at approximately 1:00 p.m.

The test will last for approximately three minutes.

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State Police arrest Office of Motor Vehicles employee for theft of $500 in fees paid for insurance violations

Louisiana State Police detectives on Wednesday arrested an employee of the Office of Motor Vehicles in Chalmette for felony theft and malfeasance in office.

Juanita Rainey, 50, of Slidell, was arrested after an investigation began after they received information relating to suspected criminal activity at the OMV Chalmette office, State Police said.

The investigation revealed that Rainey pocketed over $500 worth of fees paid by customers for insurance violations, State Police said. They said she would then utilize state computers to alter the fee amounts owed by customers to show a zero balance.

An arrest warrant was obtained and Rainey was booked into the St. Bernard Parish prison. The investigation is on-going and additional charges may be forthcoming. State Police said.

Rainey was released on a $5,000 bond after her arrest.

Anyone wishing to report criminal or suspicious activity to the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations, New Orleans Field Office, is urged to contact detectives at 504-310-7000.

The Louisiana State Police on-line reporting system is also available to the public through a secure reporting form that is submitted to the appropriate investigators. Parties can access the reporting form by visiting www.lsp.org and clicking the link that says Suspicious Activity.

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Sheriff’s Office seeks information on 20-year woman reported missing by her mother in Chalmette

The St. Bernard Parish sheriff’s Office is seeking information on the whereabouts if a 20-year-old woman reported missing by her mother in Chalmette, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Britnie Porte was last seen by a relative on April 29 and her mother, Carrie Meyer, reported the daughter had told the relative she was going to be taking a bus into New Orleans to get to work.

Anyone with information on the woman’s whereabouts should call the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501, the sheriff said.

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Crimestoppers GNO partners with the FBI and Sheriff Pohlmann to host its first area-wide pool tournament, held in Chalmette, to bring law enforcement officers together

Jeremy Roig, of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office in the first round.	The scene as the tournament gets underway.
Other area sheriffs took part in the tournament also. Shown with Sheriff Pohlmann are Plaquemines Sheriff Lonnie Greco and St. Charles Sheriff Greg Champagne, and next to them Darlene Cusanza of Crimestoppers and Michael Anderson of the FBI.	Shown at the law enforcement pool tournament at Lacy’s Cue are, from left, owner Frank Haines and the hosts of the tournament, Michael, FBI Special Agent in Charge of the New Orleans office; Darlene Cusanza, President and CEO of Crimestoppers; and Sheriff James Pohlmann.
Det. Sgt. Donald Johnson lines up a shot.	Det. Michael Schiro takes a shot.
Former U.S. Attorney Jim Letten is shown with Sheriff Pohlmann.	St. Bernard Sheriff’s Maj. Robert McNab lines up a shot in the first round.

Without question, Lacy’s Cue in Chalmette had to be the safest place in the New Orleans area the night of May 8 as nearly 90 federal agents, sheriffs, police chiefs and other cops gathered for a law enforcement pool tournament to build relationships between area-wide agencies.

Police from more than 20 agencies participated with numerous other officers attending the event besides those playing.

“It was a great turnout and a wonderful event,’’ said Darlene Cusanza, President and CEO of the nonprofit group Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans. She added it was a fun way for law enforcement to network with each other and Crimestoppers. “Agencies had a chance to meet each other. This is something we want to do again.’’

Michael Anderson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI office in New Orleans since 2012, was one of the driving forces in suggesting an area-wife law enforcement pool tournament as a means for cops to get together socially.

Anderson, who played in the tournament and said he has played since 12 when he began with his father and brother, said the evening was exactly what he had in mind as a way for officers to meet and talk.

“I’m getting a good vibe between the people here,’’ Anderson said as he looked about the pool tables crowded with officers. “In this type of event there is a lot of time for people to mingle,’’ which he said promotes people from agencies being able to work together.

That was why Anderson said he suggested a blind draw of partners in doubles play, rather than singles or a team from each agency, to maximize player participation, the mixing of department personnel and emphasizing fun over cut-throat competition.

A team of one person from the FBI and one from the Orleans Criminal Sheriff’s Office won the tournament.

Sheriff James Pohlmann, whose St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office had seven employees participate in the tournament, said he enjoyed meeting officers from federal, state and local agencies and having time to talk with fellow sheriffs and police chiefs.

“Criminals don’t worry about boundary lines separating parishes,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “A bad guy from one parish can commit a crime in another. So it’s important law enforcement can work together on matters that cross jurisdictional lines. When law enforcement officers from various agencies have a chance to meet in a casual atmosphere it fosters better cooperation.’’

Sheriff Pohlmann added. “It is always easier to deal with people you have met and spoken with before.’’

Plus, he said, the tournament was a good way to feature Crimestoppers “because that group has been so important in helping law enforcement through its program of offering cash rewards for tips on criminal suspects, which has led to so many arrests over the years.’’

Other area law enforcement leaders participating included Sheriffs Marlin Gusman of Orleans Parish, Greg Champagne from St. Charles, and Lonnie Greco of Plaquemines, newly elected Kenner PD Chief Michael Glaser, Slidell Chief Randy Smith and Assistant Special Agents in Charge from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Warren Rivera and Joseph Shepherd.

Former U.S. Attorney Jim Letten was also there.

Other agencies participating included Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Harahan Police Department, the Internal Revenue Service, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Kenner Police Department, Louisiana State Police, New Orleans Police, St. John Sheriff, St. Tammany Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Attorney’s office, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, U.S. H.S.I., U.S.D.H., U.S. Marshals and U.S. Secret Service.

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Last D.A.R.E. program graduation of the school year held at Lacoste Elementary, with the Sheriff’s Office honoring more than 120 5th-graders

Runner-ups in the essay contest were, from left, Hayleigh Marshall, Caleb Meyers, Melody Fletschinger and Kada Duncan. Not shown is Nathan Cross. Behind them are Lt. Lisa Jackson, who heads the D.A.R.E. program; Sheriff James Pohlmann, instructor Sgt. Darrin Miller, Maj. Chad Clark, Lt. Richard Jackson, 5th-grade teacher Dina Martinez and Capt. Ronnie Martin.

Winners of the 5th grade D.A.R.E. essay contest at Lacoste Elementary were: in front from left, Jaidyn Cone, Tyler Gremillion, Kayleigh Richardson, Yasmine Gaber and Hallie Miller. In back, from left, are Lt. Lisa Jackson, who heads the D.A.R.E. program; Sheriff James Pohlmann, instructor Sgt. Darrin Miller, Maj. Chad Clark, Lt. Richard Jackson, 5th-grade teacher Dina Martinez and Capt. Ronnie Martin.

The Sheriff’s Office honored more than 120 fifth-graders at Lacoste Elementary school on May 6, who completed a 12-week program in Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or D.A.R.E., taught by instructors from the Sheriff’s Office.

It was the last D.A.R.E. graduation of the school year. More than 600 5th-grade students in eight St. Bernard schools graduated from the program given by St. Bernard sheriff’s officers Lt. Lisa Jackson, commander of D.A.R.E., and Sgt. Darrin Miller. The program, held in both public and private schools, was re-established in 2009, four years after Hurricane Katrina.

D.A.R.E. is aimed at trying to keep young people from using drugs including tobacco and alcohol or taking part in violence or bullying others.

Sheriff James Pohlmann told children at Lacoste they must concentrate on making the right choices to have productive lives, including listening to their parents and teachers and deciding who they should and shouldn’t associate with.

“I can tell you how drug use affects a family and it also affects the entire community,’’ the sheriff said, praising relatives of the graduates who turned out for the graduation ceremony for showing their support for the students.

He encouraged them to continue staying focused on their children, including talking often with them and looking for warning signs to help prevent drug use or be alerted to them actually using drugs.

Maj. Chad Clark, commander of the Special Investigations Division including the Narcotics Unit, said it takes the kind of education effort given by Sheriff’s Office drug resistance instructors at parish schools to affect the drug problem in America and solid law enforcement to stop drug dealers.

“We can’t arrest ourselves out of this problem,’’ Clark said, noting there are more than 100,000 deaths in America each year from drug-related causes, including some in St. Bernard Parish. The resurgence of the drug heroin is concerning law enforcement and health care officials nationwide.

But Clark said overdose deaths have been going down in the parish because of a combination of factors including law enforcement diligence.

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About 625 5th-graders from St. Bernard Parish schools who graduated D.A.R.E. classes from the Sheriff’s Office attended area-wide field trip to a Zephyrs game

About 625 5th-graders from eight St. Bernard Parish schools, all of whom graduated this school year from the Sheriff’s Office-taught program Drug Abuse Resistance Education, attended a field trip May 7 with other school systems to a Zephyrs baseball game at their stadium in Jefferson Parish.

“We had a good time,’’ said Lt. Lisa Jackson, who heads the sheriff’s D.A.R.E. program and is an instructor in it with Sgt. Darrin Miller. Several other deputies also attended the field trip conducted by schools in the parish.

Local D.A.R.E. programs in various school systems took part in the field trip, Jackson said. “The stadium was filled.’’

“The kids enjoyed the field trip. They had a lot of fun,’’ Jackson said.

Numerous parents of St. Bernard children went along as chaperones, she said. For years, the minor league New Orleans Zephyrs have held a special day each year to recognize the D.A.R.E. program and students in local schools who have successfully completed the course that school year.

The D.A.R.E. program emphasizes to students a message of building self-respect and advocates they should refrain from drug use, alcohol and tobacco abuse, as well as refusing to take part in violence or bullying.

Eight schools in St. Bernard Parish had D.A.R.E. programs for 5th-graders this school year and all held graduation ceremonies in conjunction with officials from the Sheriff’s Office appearing to speak to children and parents, including Sheriff James Pohlmann and Maj. Chad Clark, head of the Special Investigations Division which includes the Narcotics Unit.

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Sheriff’s Office now coordinating a Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT, of volunteers to supplement first-responders in certain emergencies; Residents can call (504) 278-7628 to apply

Linda Woodward, left, and Magdalen Rodriques train on the proper way to use a fire extinguisher,

Albert Loar, foreground, and Scott Bowles also use a fire extinguisher in training.

Remember the old Civil Defense, which had a long history of training volunteers to help out in local emergencies, including in times when the nation was at war? Today, the closest to that is the Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT, which is under the overall umbrella of U.S. Homeland Security. In St. Bernard, CERT is funded by St. Bernard Parish government through a homeland Security grant.

Sheriff James Pohlmann said the Sheriff’s Office is now coordinating a CERT team of volunteers who could supplement first-responders in certain emergencies. There are more than 15 in the group now, including some Reserve Division deputies, and they recently held a training session, the sheriff said.

Sheriff Pohlmann said St. Bernard Parish residents who are interested in applying to join the CERT program can call Sheriff’s Capt. Charles Borchers at (504) 278-7628.

“The CERT program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that could impact their area,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “It gives them specific training in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.” “No one wants to think about something bad happening but you have to be prepared,’’ the sheriff said.

The concept of civilian auxiliaries is similar to the old Civil Defense, well known during war time. The CERT concept differs somewhat because it includes non-military emergencies, and is coordinated with all levels of emergency authorities, local to national, via an overarching incident command system.

Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help.

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Man who stole from a Chalmette store attempted to run over a sheriff’s deputy when he fled but was arrested next morning when his vehicle was spotted again; Heroin, cocaine and a stolen television

A Hahnville man who stole from a Chalmette store attempted to run over a sheriff’s deputy when he fled in a vehicle but was arrested the next morning when he returned to the parish and his vehicle was spotted, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

A stolen 55-inch television and amounts of heroin, crack cocaine and a crack pipe were found in a 2003 Dodge Durango that Titus White, 33, was driving when he was seen in Chalmette about 5 a.m. Sunday, the sheriff said. White jumped from the moving vehicle when pursued by an officer and ran as the Durango partially went into a drainage canal, the sheriff said.

White is now held in the St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of $200,000 bond set Monday.

Sheriff Pohlmann said White tried to run over a sheriff’s deputy working an off-duty security detail at the Wal-Mart store in Chalmette about 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. He said the officer had followed White to a parking lot after White was identified by store officials as having stolen a television in the store a little earlier that evening, then had returned, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

The deputy stepped out of the way as White tried to run over him but got the license number of the vehicle. White fled toward New Orleans and wasn’t found that night, the sheriff said. In his flight, White struck a shopping cart, pushing it into a parked vehicle in the parking lot.

However, White returned to Chalmette about 5 a.m. Sunday, some eight hours after the incident with the deputy.

White was caught by deputies in the 400 block of East Celestine Street after the foot pursuit following him jumping from the Durango.

He was booked with numerous charges, including attempted murder of the deputy he tried to run over, theft from the store, possession of heroin, crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia, criminal damage, reckless operation, hit-and-run driving, flight from an officer and resisting arrest.

Authorities speculated White may have returned to Chalmette to sell the stolen television or the drugs to someone he knows in the parish.

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