St. Bernard included in 200-mile run by Brad McKee of the Disposable Heroes Project to raise money to help U.S. military veterans; One sheriff’s deputy and a St. Bernard native took part

Brad McKee, in front, barechested and with a beard, runs on East St. Bernard Highway on June 12 as part of a 200-mile run to Hammond to raise money for U.S. military veterans. Running, at right in front is Stephen Clark, a St. Bernard native who works with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Running in the back row, at left, is Dep. Mike Plaiscia of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office.

Brad McKee of the Disposable Heroes Project, lying in a vehicle in St. Bernard Parish receiving IV fluids to combat heat and dehydration during a break in his 200-mile run to Hammond to raise money to help U.S. military veterans.

Brad McKee was flat on his back in a parked vehicle receiving IV fluids in one lane of East St. Bernard Highway in St. Bernard Parish on Thursday, June 12 – tired and hot from running in the sun all day.

But he was still in good spirits as he spoke about his 200-mile run from Plaquemines Parish, through St. Bernard and New Orleans and on to a finish in Hammond to raise money to help U.S. military veterans.

“I don’t know how I will feel but I’m going to finish it one way or another,’’ Mckee said during a break in his trek which began earlier that day in Pointe a la Hache on the lower East Bank of Plaquemines Parish.

The 200-mile mile run through Louisiana was in honor of the locals who have given their lives to protect America’s freedom, Mckee said.

McKee, who operates a cross-fitness center in Hammond, is a former Marine sniper who served two tours of duty in Iraq.

In 2009, McKee and two childhood friends started the Disposable Heroes Project to help military veterans.

The group has dedicated itself to raising money and awareness to assist wounded veterans and families of fallen troops in any way possible.

He has run great distances in the past as a means of raising money from those who make pledges and run parts of such events with him.

“There are many veterans who still need help,’’ Mckee said. “We aren’t going to forget about them.’’ “Our aim is to ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten and show that our troops are more than just a number.’’

The run began early Thursday, June 12, at Pointe a la Hache on the lower East Bank of Plaquemines Parish, passed through St. Bernard Parish on St. Bernard Highway and on to New Orleans before going on to finish in Hammond.

The 200 miles are divided into sections, each dedicated to a fallen troop from Louisiana. McKee said he would try to run the entire distance.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Dep. Mike Plaiscia of Meraux and St. Bernard native Stephen Clark of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, who lives in Hammond and is a brother of Maj. Chad Clark of the Sheriff’s Office, took part in the run with McKee and others, joining near Violet in eastern St. Bernard.

The Sheriff’s Office and State Police escorted the procession through St. Bernard.

Plaiscia and Clark, who were both activated for service in Iraq as members of the Louisiana National Guard, said they wanted to show support for what McKee’s group is doing for veterans.

“I became friends with him (McKee) about a year ago,’’ Clark said, and “I’m running because I want to help.’’ Clark encourages people to go to the website called thedisposableheroes.com and read the testimonials from veterans who have been helped and then donate whatever is possible for you.

Plaiscia said he ran because as a veteran he also wanted to do something to show support for what Mckee is doing.

Plaiscia said Friday he ran about 30 miles with McKee, making it into New Orleans and stopping in the Warehouse District about 5 a.m. Friday, while he said Clark went further, running to Uptown New Orleans.

“I have so much respect for him (McKee)’’ after seeing the effort he gives, Plaiscia said. “He has a drive’’ which helps push others to keep going.

---

Three men now under arrest in May 31 armed robbery of an Arabi business; Fourth man still wanted

Three men are now under arrest in the May 31 armed robbery of a pay-day loan business in Arabi and one more is wanted, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

The third arrest came early Thursday when Mario O. Westbrook, 37, of New Orleans was taken into custody by a U.S. Marshal’s Service Task Force in the city, the sheriff said.

Westbrook, allegedly one of three men who entered a pay-day loan business in Arabi carrying guns and covering their faces on May 31, is being held in the city pending being brought to St. Bernard Parish Prison on an armed robbery count.

Westbrook has a lengthy criminal history.

The other two arrested in the robbery are Kendrick Wells, 36, captured Tuesday by the Marshal’s Service, and Rodrick Natteel, 36, arrested June 7 by sheriff’s detectives, who also recovered the getaway car used, the sheriff said.

Both Natteel and Wells are being held in St. Bernard Prison in lieu of bonds set at $200,000 each.

Three men, all carrying guns and covering their faces, entered the business in the 7500 block of West Judge Perez Drive in Arabi and demanded money, robbing the store and several customers, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

No one was injured.

A fourth man was involved as the driver of the getaway vehicle, the sheriff said.

---

Sheriff’s Office tries to I.D. man shown on surveillance camera burglarizing vehicles in Chalmette; Call the S.O. at 271-2501 or Crimestoppers at 822-1111

Sheriff James Pohlmann said the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office is trying to identify a man shown burglarizing vehicles on a surveillance camera at a Chalmette residence.

At least two men are believed responsible for several break-ins recently on Karen, Despeaux and Jacob drives in Chalmette and one of the men is seen clearly on a surveillance system at one home.

Anyone with information should call the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501 or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111. They could be eligible for a reward if their tip leads to an arrest.

Sheriff Pohlmann said the man shown on camera is pulling on the doors of vehicles to see if they are unlocked and burglarized several that weren’t.

“Please remember to lock your cars and trucks because most vehicle burglaries we see involve ones that were left open,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “I know if you are trying to get children inside or unloading packages or grocery bags it’s easy to forget to lock up. But it decreases your chance of being a victim if you lock it.

“Criminals are usually looking to steal something quickly with as little trouble as possible,’’ the sheriff said. “They don’t want to be slowed down by having to break into a vehicle and risk that shattering glass or creating other noise will bring attention to them. They generally move on if doors aren’t open.’’

---

Two Arabi men, who got videoptaped being arrested on their own surveillance system, had $5,000 worth of marijuana and 659 Xanax pills worth $3,300

Two Arabi men with a video surveillance system inside and outside of their residence at 6531 Chartres Street probably didn’t figure they would one day be videotaped on it getting arrested.

But it happened recently when St. Bernard Parish sheriff’s narcotics agents served a search warrant and found nearly a pound of high-grade marijuana worth about $5,000 and 659 tablets of the anti-anxiety prescription medication Xanax, worth nearly $3,000, Sheriff James Polmann said.

A shotgun, a handgun with an illegally obliterated serial number and a marijuana plant were also seized.

Treyson G. Thedy, 25, owner of the house, and Kevin Schmidt Jr., 18, who lives there, were both arrested the night of June 4 after agents from the sheriff’s Special Investigations Division executed a search warrant signed by a judge.

Apparently seeing officers arriving on the surveillance system, Schmidt ran out a back door and hid under the raised house and Thedy opened the door and threw out a large plastic bag containing marijuana, the sheriff said.

He said the surveillance system recorded all of the activity.

The pills were found inside the home.

Both Thedy and Schmidt were booked with possession with intent to distribute both marijuana and the Xanax, cultivation of marijuana, possession of a firearm in combination with a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number and possession of drug paraphernalia including scales, baggies, a grinder and cigars.

Thedy’s bond was initially set at $50,000 but was reduced to $25,000 on Tuesday by state District Judge Kirk Vaughn. No bond information was available for Schmidt.

---

Sheriff’s Office arrests a second New Orleans man in May 31 armed robbery of an Arabi business; Four men were involved

A second New Orleans man has been arrested in a May 31 armed robbery of a pay-day loan business in Arabi and two more men are being sought, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Kendrick Wells, 36, was arrested by a U.S. Marshal’s Service Fugitive Task Force in New Orleans early Tuesday as he attempted to flee a house, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Evidence related to the robbery was seized in the arrest, the sheriff said.

Wells, who was wanted on an arrest warrant issued by a St. Bernard judge following an investigation by sheriff’s detectives, is the second of four men arrested in the May 31 incident, officials said.

Wells was transported by a sheriff’s deputy from New Orleans to the St. Bernard Parish Prison on Tuesday and was booked with armed robbery. No bond has been set pending an appearance before a magistrate judge. Wells has had previous arrests for burglary, drug-dealing and drug possession.

Also, a $200,000 bond has been set for Rodrick Natteel, 36, arrested Saturday by sheriff’s detectives, who also seized the getaway vehicle, a Trail Blazer, used in the robbery of a pay day loan business in Arabi, the sheriff said.

Nattell was on parole after serving 12 years as an accessory to murder in New Orleans, was booked with armed robbery and is being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison, the sheriff said.

Three black men, all carrying guns and covering their faces, entered the business in the 7500 block of West Judge Perez Drive in Arabi at about 10:50 a.m. on May 31 and demanded money, robbing the store and several customers, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

No one was injured.

A fourth man was involved as the driver of the getaway vehicle, the sheriff said.

---

Sheriff’s Office arrests a New Orleans man Saturday in May 31 armed robbery of an Arabi business and more arrests are expected, sheriff says; Four men involved

St. Bernard Parish sheriff’s detectives arrested a New Orleans man on Saturday in the May 31 armed robbery of a pay-day loan business in Arabi and more arrests are expected, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Rodrick Natteel, 36, on parole after serving 12 years as an accessory to murder in New Orleans, was booked with armed robbery and is being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison, the sheriff said.

The getaway vehicle, a dark two-tone Trail Blazer, was recovered in the arrest of Natteel, the sheriff said.

Details of the investigation leading to the arrest weren’t released pending further arrests.

Three black men, all carrying guns and covering their faces, entered the business in the 7500 block of West Judge Perez Drive in Arabi at about 10:50 a.m. on May 31 and demanded money, robbing the store and several customers, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

No one was injured.

A fourth man was involved as the driver of the getaway vehicle, the sheriff said.

---

Identity and whereabouts of man sought who paid for goods in a Chalmette business with a $2,800 bad check written in the name of a West Bank company; Call (504) 271-2501 with information

The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office is seeking the identity and whereabouts of a man who paid for merchandise at a Chalmette business with a $2,800 bad check written in the name of a West Bank company, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Using the name Jason Johnson, the man, seen on a surveillance camera in the business, wrote and signed a check that appeared to be from a West Bank company but wasn’t legitimate.

Anyone who recognizes the man and knows his name or whereabouts should call the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501.

---

Trusty prisoner work crews used for projects in parish, including helping the Levee District on back levees and canals, and working with parish government on litter clean-up and removing debris

A prisoner uses a chain saw to cut up a tree for removal.

A trusty prisoner picks up debris along West St. Bernard Highway in Chalmette as part of a prisoner work crew doing a project of litter removal and cleaning storm drains in conjunction with parish government.

With plenty of available labor in St. Bernard Parish Prison, Sheriff James Pohlmann has assigned several trusty prisoner work crews to parish projects, including one with the Lake Borgne Basin Levee District working on back levees and canals and one working with parish government on litter clean-up including removing debris from storm drains.

“There are many ways we can use prisoner work crews to help public areas in the parish look good and safeguard the drainage systems to help prevent flooding in rain events,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said.

“We are doing that now in several areas, in conjunction with the Lake Borgne Basin Levee District and parish government,’’ the sheriff said.

Teaming up with the levee agency, trusty prisoners – under the watch of deputies from the corrections division – have been working for months helping use equipment on back levees and recently preparing for hurricane season by removing dead or dying trees along canal banks, using chain saws and mini-excavators.

Using the prisoners “has been working out well,’’ said Louis Pomes, levee superintendent for the Lake Borgne Basin Levee District in St. Bernard, which is part of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority, a state agency which oversees flood risk management for East Jefferson, Orleans and St. Bernard parishes.

The work crews from the Sheriff’s Office are saving taxpayer money by doing some projects in-house, Pomes said. And, he said, it helps teach a trade to prisoners to enable them to get a job when they serve out their sentence and hopefully break the cycle of crime.

Dep. Ryan Laylle of the Corrections Division has been in charge of a work crew helping the Levee District, which reimburses the Sheriff’s Office for his time, Pomes said.

A prisoner work crew overseen by Dep. Jason Mayer of the Corrections Division recently began working in conjunction with road crews from parish government to pick up litter along major highways and clean out debris from storm drains before the parish cuts grass on public areas.

They have been working on the Louisiana 46 Extension, St. Bernard Highway and other highways and neutral grounds.

---