St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrests three in connection with Mardi Gras shooting in Orleans Parish

Christopher Bordere DOB 4/7/97

Jerald Bordere DOB 7/21/99

Tahitian Bordere DOB 10/03/77

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrested a mother and her two sons in Chalmette in connection with a double shooting that took place on Mardi Gras in the 700 block of Union Street in New Orleans. One of the individuals was wanted on two counts of attempted second degree murder in the case, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Jerald Bordere, 18, of the 4700 block of Raymond Joseph Drive in New Orleans, was booked Feb. 27 on warrants out of NOPD for two counts of attempted second degree murder, illegal use of a firearm along a parade route, illegal use of a firearm during a crime of violence, illegal discharge of a firearm and illegal possession of a stolen firearm.

Christopher Bordere, 20, of the 4700 block of Raymond Joseph Drive in New Orleans, was booked Feb. 27 on warrants out of NOPD for two counts of principle to attempted second degree murder, illegal possession of a stolen firearm and an unrelated warrant out of NOPD.

Tahitian Bordere, 40, of the 4700 block of Raymond Joseph Drive in New Orleans, was booked Feb. 27 with accessory after the fact to attempted second degree murder and illegal possession of a stolen firearm.

Shortly before midnight on Feb. 26, Sheriff Pohlmann said, St. Bernard deputies received information from an anonymous source that three individuals who were staying at a Chalmette hotel possibly matched the description of wanted subjects involved in a double shooting in Orleans Parish during a parade on Mardi Gras.

St. Bernard deputies, working along with the New Orleans Police Department, obtained a search warrant for the room where the three above individuals were staying. Deputies apprehended all three suspects in the room, and recovered two handguns in their possession, one of which was reported stolen out of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Pohlmann credits the tipster for their quick action in informing the Sheriff’s Office of the suspects’ whereabouts.

“We cannot stress the importance of the ‘if you see something, say something’ rule,” the Sheriff said. “No matter how small the suspicion, it is always best to inform us so we can check it out to be sure.”

Sheriff Pohlmann said criminals who think they can commit crimes elsewhere and then seek refuge in St. Bernard are mistaken.

“We will not tolerate dangerous individuals coming to our parish to hide,” the Sheriff said. “We will find you and arrest you.”

At about 3:17 p.m. on Feb. 13, a fight reportedly occurred among a group of approximately 10 individuals on Union Street near Carondelet Street in New Orleans. One man in the group allegedly produced a handgun and fired into the group, striking one victim in the leg and a second victim in the head area. Both victims were transported to an area hospital by EMS.

The NOPD also booked Kentrell Howard, 17, on Feb. 22 with two counts of principle to attempted second degree murder in connection with the shooting.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division provides opportunity for citizens to give back to their community

Dep. Melissa Wickboldt started her law enforcement career in 2014 as a St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division deputy. After spending two years as a Reserve deputy, Wickboldt decided she wanted a career in law enforcement so in 2016 she joined the department as a full-time, paid deputy.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division deputies also help make extra patrols in busy shopping centers during the holiday season.

When Melissa Wickboldt attended a Citizens Police Academy course offered by the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office in 2014, she had no idea how much it would change the course of her life.

“I was really intrigued by what I had learned in the class,” said Wickboldt, who was working at a daycare center at the time.

Soon after attending the Academy, a free, 10-week program that teaches private citizens about police work, Wickboldt decided to join the Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division.

Reserve Division officers are unpaid, volunteer deputies who supplement the department’s manpower at local events such as festivals, parades, and high school sports games. They also help make extra patrols in busy shopping centers during the holiday season.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann said the Reserve Division deputies provide a valuable service to the department.

“We couldn’t do what we do so efficiently without the additional help of our Reserve Division deputies,” the Sheriff said.

After spending two years as a Reserve deputy, Wickboldt decided she wanted a career in law enforcement so in 2016 she joined the department as a full-time, paid deputy.

She graduated from Peace Officers Standards and Training, or P.O.S.T., basic police academy, in 2017, and now works in the Criminal Records Division.

Dep. Wickboldt said Reserve Division deputies are a huge asset to the department, and the community as well.

“I think it helps the community and frees up our patrol deputies for tougher situations because the Reserve Division deputies get more time to interact with the community at local events,” Dep. Wickboldt said. “Being a Reserve deputy was very rewarding to me because it gave me an avenue to give something back to my community.”

Sgt. Chris Palazzalo, a deputy with the Reserve Division since 2012, agrees.

“I like helping people and I like interacting with them,” he said. “From the football games to the parades, I just truly have a good time doing this.”

Sgt. Palazzalo, who has a full-time job in the private sector, graduated from P.O.S.T. school in 2013. He encourages residents to consider donating their time as a Reserve deputy as well.

“You have to be a people person,” he said, “but the training will be provided and it is very rewarding to know you are helping keep your community safe.”

According to Capt. Charles Borchers, commander of the Reserve Division, there are currently about two dozen Reserve Division deputies, and the department always welcomes new applicants.

Capt. Borchers said Reserve officers attend an 80-hour basic law enforcement in-service training course, twice a week for 10 weeks.

“You do not need a background in law enforcement,” Capt. Borchers said. “We will teach you what you need to know and supply uniforms as well.”

Capt. Borchers said many Reserve Division deputies have gone on to become full-time, paid officers, and several paid, full-time officers who left to work in another profession joined the Reserves just to stay involved with the department and continue to help their community.

To apply, Capt. Borchers said a person must meet the following criteria:

-Live in St. Bernard Parish
-Be at least 21 years old
-Have earned a high school diploma or GED
-Have a clean police record; background checks will be conducted.

For more information, or to obtain an application, contact Capt. Borchers at (504) 278-7628 or Sgt. Eric Eilers at (504) 278-7799.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office team places sixth in Rotary Club Spelling Bee

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office team finished sixth among 18 teams at the 18th Annual Rotary Club Corporate Spelling Bee held Feb. 22 in the Chalmette High School cafeteria, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

The Sheriff’s Office team, comprised of Capt. Dennis Morgan, of the Juvenile Detention Center, Detective Brad Alphonso, of the Criminal Investigations Bureau, and Reserve Division Dep. Keith Lutz, managed to stay in the game for several rounds.

A team from Nunez Community College took home bragging rights as this year’s best spellers and first place winners. Second place went to Andrew Jackson Dominique You Lodge, and the St. Bernard Parish School Board Team #1 took third place.

Each year, for $300, teams of three people from local businesses, organizations and public offices are invited by the Rotary Club to participate in a fun competition and help raise money for a worthy cause. Refreshments are sold, and there are raffles and door prizes.

Proceeds from the event are used by the Rotary Club to promote community literacy programs, to equip area third-graders with their own dictionaries, and provide scholarships to Nunez Community College students.

 
 
 
  
 
 
 

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrests six New Orleans residents in connection with rash of car burglaries and thefts in Chalmette

Antonio Cousan	Alvin Thomas	Curtisha Burnes
Derrick Cobbins	Imani Smith	Kenneth Alphonse

Norrissa Stokes

Theodore Watkins

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrested several individuals in connection with a rash of car burglaries and thefts that occurred recently in Chalmette, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Six subjects were arrested in St. Bernard in connection with the case which involves 21 car burglaries, one attempted vehicle burglary, and four vehicle thefts occurring between Feb. 16 and 19 in the Chalmette area.

Imani Smith, 21, of the 6000 block of Craigie Road in New Orleans, was booked Feb. 20 with two counts of auto theft and 17 counts of simple burglary.

Kenneth Alphonse, 19, of the 7500 block of Forest Glyn in New Orleans, was booked Feb. 20 with two counts of auto theft, 17 counts of simple burglary, criminal trespassing, illegal possession of stolen property, and misrepresentation during booking.

Derrick Cobbins, 18, of the 7500 block of Forrest Glyn in New Orleans, was booked Feb. 20 with two counts of auto theft, 17 counts of simple burglary, criminal trespassing, illegal possession of stolen property, and misrepresentation during booking.

Alvin Thomas, 19, of the 4400 block of Skyview in New Orleans, was booked Feb. 20 with two counts of auto theft, 17 counts of simple burglary, criminal trespassing and illegal possession of stolen property.

Antonio Cousan, 17, of the 4700 block of Sherwood in New Orleans, was booked Feb. 20 with two counts of auto theft, 17 counts of simple burglary, criminal trespassing, illegal possession of stolen property, and misrepresentation during booking.

Curtisha Burnes, 19, of the 1800 block of Charbonnet in New Orleans, was booked Feb. 20 in connection with the case, but on a warrant out of St. Bernard.

Theodore Watkins, 20, of the 7100 block of Boston Drive in New Orleans, Norrissa Stokes, 20, of the 7500 block of Downman Road in New Orleans, and a 16-year-old female juvenile also were arrested by the New Orleans Police Department in connection with the case for theft of one of the vehicles stolen out of St. Bernard. The vehicle was recovered.

On Feb. 19 at approximately 3 a.m., Sheriff Pohlmann said, deputies responded to a call about five suspicious male subjects who had exited a car they had been sitting in with the headlights off in a Chalmette parking lot, and began walking into a residential neighborhood.

When deputies arrived on the scene to investigate, they observed one of the suspects, later identified as Smith, rummaging through the inside of a vehicle parked in front of a residence.

Smith spotted deputies and fled on foot, but was apprehended a short time later, along with Cobbins, Cousan, Alphonse and Thomas, as they hid under a shed in the backyard of a nearby home.

The suspects have been linked to other vehicle burglaries in St. Bernard and New Orleans. During the course of the investigation, detectives recovered two of the four vehicles stolen in St. Bernard, one vehicle stolen out of New Orleans, and three handguns.

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office is working with the New Orleans Police Department in this ongoing investigation. Additional charges may be filed.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking residents who have had their vehicles burglarized to report any suspicious activity by calling (504) 271-2501.

In many of the cases, Sheriff Pohlmann said, the victims’ vehicles were unlocked.

Sheriff Pohlmann urges residents to keep their vehicles locked at all times in an effort to deter criminals from committing a “crime of opportunity.”

“This is why it’s very important to make sure your vehicles are locked at all times,” Sheriff Pohlmann said. “Locking your vehicle and not leaving items of value, especially guns, in plain sight can greatly reduce your chances of being the victim of theft.”

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office books teen with second degree murder after he fatally stabbed a Meraux man

St. Bernard Parish Sheriff James Pohlmann said a 16-year-old male juvenile was booked with second degree murder after he confessed to stabbing an 18-year-old Meraux man following an altercation involving the two of them and another 16-year-old teen. The second juvenile was booked with principal to second degree murder in connection with the incident.

Shortly before 9:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 19, Sheriff Pohlmann said, deputies responded to a call about a male lying on the ground covered in blood in the 2700 block of Maureen Lane in Meraux.

When deputies arrived on the scene, they discovered the 18-year-old male victim, Justin Price, lying in a driveway of a residence, suffering from three stab wounds and bleeding heavily.

Price was transported to University Hospital where he later succumbed to his wounds.

Prior to being transported to the hospital, Price identified the two suspects who were apprehended by deputies a short time later. Once in custody, one of the 16-year-old juveniles confessed to stabbing Price.

Sheriff Pohlmann said no one else was injured during the altercation and this was an isolated incident between three acquaintances.

Both juveniles are being held in the St. Bernard Parish Juvenile Detention Center. Bond has not yet been set.

This is the first homicide in St. Bernard Parish in 2018.

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Presidents’ Day closure

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office administrative offices will be closed on Monday, February 19 in observance of Presidents’ Day. The administrative offices will reopen on Tuesday, February 20.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office investigating rash of car burglaries, asking residents to check their vehicles

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office is investigating a rash of car burglaries that occured overnight along Palmisano Boulevard and Karen Drive in Chalmette, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking residents of these streets and the nearby areas to check their vehicles and report any suspicious activity by calling (504) 271-2501.

An arrest has been made in the case. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be filed.

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Crimestoppers Commercial

Commercial for Crimestoppers’ Lock It or Lose It campaign, featuring Sheriff Pohlmann and other local Sheriffs.

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SBSO Administrative Office closed for Mardi Gras

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office administrative offices will be closed on Monday, February 12 and Tuesday, February 13 in observance of Mardi Gras. The administrative offices will reopen on Wednesday, February 14.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office participates in school Carnival parades

A St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office unit driven by Capt. Charles Borchers blocks a residential street for safety purposes during Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic School’s Carnival parade held Feb. 9 around the school grounds.	Sgt. Bryan Fleetwood with the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Motorcycle Division leads a Carnival parade held by Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic School in Chalmette.
Sgt. Wayne Babin Jr. talks with parade royalty at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic School’s Carnival parade held Feb. 9.	St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Eric Eilers with McGruff the Crime Dog, portrayed by Dep. Debrecca Richard, during an elementary school Carnival parade.
Lt. Raymond Theriot at the start of the Joseph Davies Elementary School Carnival parade.	Lt. Brent Bourgeois leads the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Motorcycle Division during the Joseph Davies Elementary School Carnival parade.
Members of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Motorcycle Division gather prior to an elementary school Carnival parade held Feb. 9.	Sgt. Darrin Miller waves to Joseph Davies Elementary School students during a Carnival parade held Feb. 9.
Dep. Dixie Dusang gives Arabi Elementary School student Dale Jones a fist bump prior to the start of the school’s Carnival parade on Feb. 9.	Lt. Michael Ingargiola, left, and Capt. Bret Bowen leading Arabi Elementary School’s Carnival parade held Feb. 9 around the school grounds.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office deputies led nine local school parades on Feb. 9 in celebration of the 2018 Carnival season, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

The Sheriff’s Office provided escorts and blocked off streets for parades at Bright Beginnings Day Care, Heart of Learning Day Care, Arabi Elementary, Meraux Elementary, Joseph Davies Elementary, Chalmette Elementary, Lacoste Elementary, J.F. Gauthier Elementary and Our Lady of Prompt Succor.

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