Archives: September2020

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Marine Division safely

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Marine Division safely

rescues two boaters stranded in Lake Borgne

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Marine Division rescued two stranded boaters from Lake Borgne on Monday, safely bringing them back to shore, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

On Monday, Sept. 28, shortly after 3 p.m., Sheriff Pohlmann said, deputies received a call about a boat that had crashed into the rocks somewhere on a shoreline in Lake Borgne.

The Sheriff’s Office Communications Division and Marine Division stayed in constant contact by phone with the male and female boaters who are from Lafayette, trying to pinpoint their location.

While on the phone with the subjects, the Sheriff’s Office Marine Division advised the couple to put on their life jackets and get on the rocks if they could do so safely in case the boat started to take on water and go under.

Less than one hour from when they first received a call for help, members of the Marine Division were able to locate the man and woman on the south shoreline of Lake Borgne close to Doulut's Canal, standing on the rocks wearing their life jackets as instructed.

Their boat, which had lost power during a strong front that caused high winds and rough conditions, was almost completely submerged against the rocks.

A good samaritan from Campo’s Marina assisted in retrieving the boat for the subjects. Once back at the dock, both subjects were checked out by Acadian EMS and treated for minor injuries.

Sheriff Pohlmann reminds residents to practice safety while on the water, and that everyone on board should be wearing a personal flotation device, or life jacket.

“They are available at sporting goods and department stores,” the Sheriff said. “Everyone should be able to find one that fits.’’

Capt. Brian Clark, a retired state Wildlife and Fisheries agent who heads the Sheriff’s Office Marine Division, agrees with Sheriff Pohlmann about the necessity of everyone on board wearing flotation devices, especially children.

“It’s required that children 16 and under wear a flotation device at all times and recommended that adults wear them also,’’ Clark said. Drowning remains the biggest cause of fatalities on the water and a life jacket being worn could save a life, he added.

“Some boaters used to resist them because they were bulky and made it hard to get around on a boat,” Clark said, “but the ones made today are lightweight and easy to use.”

Before leaving on a trip, Clark also recommends informing someone of where you will be going, and approximately when you expect to return.

“Telling someone what your plans are will let them know if you are overdue so they can inform authorities,” Clark said.

Besides flotation devices, Clark said other basic rules for safety include a check of equipment before taking off. He also reminds boaters, if you have a kill switch on the motor, remember to use it if necessary.

Clark said remember to bring important items such as a cell phone and charger, a fire extinguisher, a flashlight, proper clothing, enough food and water for a trip, a safety kit, sunscreen, sunglasses to guard against glare and a device that can be thrown to aid anyone who needs help in the water.

Clark also recommends staying properly hydrated.

“Drink liquids,” he said. “Don’t let yourself get dehydrated because the sun will take a lot out of you and slow your reaction time.”

For more on state boating and life jacket regulations visit www.wlf.louisiana.gov/boating.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrests two youths in connection with vehicle theft

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrests two youths in connection with vehicle thefts in Arabi

St. Bernard Parish Sheriff James Pohlmann urges residents not to let a stranger’s youth lure them into a false sense of security after detectives with the Criminal Investigations Bureau arrested a couple of youths from New Orleans in connection with two vehicle thefts that occurred Thursday, Sept. 24 in Arabi, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

The two females, ages 15 and 11, were both booked Friday, Sept. 25 with simple robbery, two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, and one count of theft. The 15 year old also was booked on an outstanding warrant out of St. Bernard for theft of a motor vehicle from an incident that occurred in July in Arabi.

On Thursday, Sept. 24, at approximately 4 p.m., Sheriff Pohlmann said, deputies responded to a call about a vehicle theft in the 300 block of Angela Avenue.

When deputies arrived on the scene, they were met by an elderly male victim who said two young females knocked on his door and asked if they could come inside and use his phone. While inside the residence, the girls stole the victim’s keys and when they left the residence, they took his vehicle as well.

A few hours later, Sheriff Pohlmann said, deputies responded to another call about a vehicle theft, this time in the 2100 block of Aycock Street in Arabi.

When deputies arrived on the scene of this incident, they met with an eldery female who said two young females knocked on her door and asked to use her phone. After the girls left, the female victim noticed both her keys and wallet were missing, along with her vehicle.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Bureau were able to identify the suspects through eyewitness accounts and video surveillance.

Once in custody, both females admitted to the thefts and were transported to the St. Bernard Parish Prison Juvenile Detention Center to be booked accordingly.

Sheriff Pohlmann encourages citizens to remain vigilant, and report any suspicious activity in their neighborhood.

Citizens who want to share information with detectives about criminal activity pertaining to St. Bernard Parish or any of its residents, can do so anonymously through the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau’s new tip hotline, (504) 271-TIPS or 8477.

If a detective isn’t available to answer, the Sheriff said, callers can leave a detailed message, and either choose to provide their contact information, or remain anonymous.

The Sheriff said residents who feel they are in danger or in need of immediate assistance should call 911. Non-emergency issues such as requesting to speak with a deputy also can be handled by calling (504) 271-2501.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Dep. Richard Scheuermann

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Dep. Richard Scheuermann

receives Kiwanis Club Life Saver Award

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Dep. Richard Scheuermann received the 2020 Kiwanis Club of St. Bernard-Arabi Life Saver Award at a banquet hosted by Kiwanis today (Sept. 22) at Rocky and Carlo’s Restaurant in Chalmette, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Dep. Scheuermann, a seven-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office who works in the Field Operations Bureau Patrol Division, was honored for his efforts to save a woman who attempted to end her life in June, 2020.

On June 6, Sheriff Pohlmann said, Dep. Scheuermann responded to a call about an adult female who was wanting to commit suicide.

When Dep. Scheuermann arrived on the scene, the female was becoming increasingly agitated and physically uncooperative so he placed her in handcuffs for her safety and had her sit in the front seat of a family member’s vehicle.

As emergency medical technicians were trying to tend to the female, she ran from them and dove into Bayou Bienvenu while still handcuffed. Without hesitation, and in full uniform and duty rig, Dep. Scheuermann jumped in the Bayou after the female and was able to safely help her out of the water, saving her life.

The female was then transported to an area hospital for treatment.

Lt. Richard Barr, Dep. Scheuermann’s supervisor, said he is not surprised by his deputy’s actions.

“Dep. Scheuermann always gives me 100 percent each and every day,” Lt. Barr said. “The fact that he did this does not surprise me at all.”

Dep. Scheuermann, who comes from a family of law enforcement officers, said he just did what comes naturally to him.

“Honestly it all happened so fast that nothing went through my mind. I jumped in after her because it’s what we as law enforcement officers do,” he said. “We don’t always have time to think about what to do sometimes. We just have to do it.”

Helping others is something that is just in his blood, said Dep. Scheuermann, whose father and uncle also are in law enforcement. His father, Dep. Randy Scheuermann, has been a police officer for 51 years.

“Other than growing up looking up to the greatest man and police officer I know (my Dad) and wanting to be just like him, I have always had a thing for helping those in need and putting others first and trying to make a difference in the world any way possible,” he said.

Receiving the LifeSaver award is an honor, Dep. Scheuermann said.

“It’s a small reminder of why I wake up and put on the badge, and, at the end of the day, it reminds me why I chose this career in the first place, to help those in need!” he said.

Knowing he is making a difference in his community means a lot to him.

“It felt good to know that someone called because they were in need of help and I was one of the officers to show up, and at the end of the day, a life was saved,” he said.

Dep. Scheuermann who has been in the Patrol Division for two years, also worked in Corrections at St. Bernard Parish Prison for five years and is a member of the SWAT team.

“I actually would like to work in every division in the department at some point in my career to gain as much knowledge as the job has to offer,” he said. “I love waking up in the morning knowing that I won’t be doing the same thing that I did yesterday, but also not knowing what the day will bring.”

Kiwanis Life Saver Committee Chairman Sam Catalanotto said the Kiwanis Club started presenting these awards more than a decade ago as a way to recognize first-responders in the parish for the work they do to protect the public. The award is presented quarterly to parish first responders chosen by the Sheriff's Office and Fire Department, he said.

"They are the first people through the door, and usually the last ones out, in an emergency, putting their lives on the line everyday,” Catalanotto said.

Anyone interested in joining the St. Bernard/Arabi Kiwanis Club community service organization is welcome to attend one of its luncheons each Tuesday at noon in the Rocky and Carlo’s Sicilian Room, 613 W. St. Bernard Highway in Chalmette. For more information, call Robby Showalter at (504) 616-7312.
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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office warns residents of phone scam

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office warns residents of phone scam

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann would like to inform residents of a phone scam that has been brought to his attention.

Victims have reported receiving phone calls stating they must pay money or a warrant will be issued for their arrest due to their failure to appear in court.

The caller, who claims to be a deputy with the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office, instructs the victim to send money to void the warrant and avoid arrest for being in contempt of court.

The Sheriff also warns the number seen on caller ID may not be accurate and could be spoofed by the caller.

Sheriff Pohlmann wants residents to know the majority of the time a valid arrest warrant is served in person by law enforcement officials; however, in some circumstances a law enforcement official may call you if you have a warrant, but under no circumstances will that officer ever ask anyone to give them money by any means or form of payment.

If you have received a call from someone claiming to be a deputy with the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office asking you for money to avoid arrest, call the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501.

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SBSO monitoring pending storm.

St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office monitoring pending
inclement weather associated with Sally

Preparing for hurricane season, which runs June 1 through Nov. 30, should be something residents in our area are accustomed to doing, but St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann wants to remind residents to make preparations today and be ready to implement plans for their family in anticipation of inclement weather expected from tropical system Sally.

The Sheriff said residents should use today to secure…

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrests Violet man on various narcotics and weapons

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrests Violet man on various narcotics and weapons charges

A Violet man was arrested on numerous narcotics distribution and weapons charges following an investigation conducted by the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division Narcotics Unit, Sheriff…

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office deputies travel to Lake Charles

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office deputies travel to Lake Charles

to help with Hurricane Laura recovery efforts

Several St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office deputies traveled to Lake Charles recently to help with recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura.

Dep. Aaron Johnson, Sheriff’s Office…

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St. Bernard Parish Prison chapel gets makeover

St. Bernard Parish Prison chapel gets makeover

thanks to St. Bernard Recovery Awareness

Inside St. Bernard Parish Prison sits a 400 square-foot chapel where prisoners have been able to worship since the jail’s construction in 1991. The space, also used for drug education classes, substance abuse…

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office searching for missing Chalmette teen

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office searching for missing Chalmette teen

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help finding a Chalmette teen who has been missing since early this morning (Sept. 4), Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Victoria Peterson, 13, was last seen by her mother at…

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office sobriety checkpoint

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office sobriety checkpoint
results in several arrests

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office conducted a sobriety checkpoint on Sept. 3 in Arabi in conjunction with the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over National Enforcement Mobilization Campaign, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

During…

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