Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in locating 15-year-old Ethan Hansel of Galliano. He was last seen at around 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 25, when he left his foster parents’ residence on West 177th Street in Galliano. Ethan is described as 5’6” tall, weighing approximately 185 pounds, with brown hair. He was last seen wearing a Golden Meadow Middle School hooded sweatshirt and black jogging pants. Anyone with information on Ethan’s whereabouts is asked to call the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 532-2808, or simply call 9-1-1.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced two people were arrested for stealing a cash box from a local youth center during a bingo game. Keras Jackson, 26, of Thibodaux and Damarcus Caine, 19, of Larose were both arrested following the incident.
Just before 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 24, deputies responded to a robbery at a Cut Off Youth Center. Two subjects, later identified as Jackson and Caine, entered the facility, approached a table selling bingo cards, and stole a cash box. Several workers at the center chased after the suspects but were unable to catch up to them. They were able to obtain a license plate on the suspects’ vehicle. Deputies were also able to review surveillance video to obtain a description of the suspects.
Through investigation, deputies identified Caine and Jackson as the suspects. Deputies made contact with both subjects later that night and questioned them about the incident. Both admitted to their involvement in the crime.
Jackson and Caine were arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center on one count each of Simple Robbery. Their bonds were set at $10,000 each. Caine was released Thursday afternoon after posting bond.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced deputies will conduct the annual Blue Light Special patrol on Halloween in order to help keep trick-or-treaters safe. More than 100 deputies will patrol the streets of Lafourche Parish neighborhoods beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31. This patrol will continue until at least 8:30 p.m. during the peak hours of trick-or-treating. Deputies will patrol with emergency lights activated to remind motorists to drive slowly and exercise extreme caution as children take to the streets.
“In what has become our annual tradition, every deputy assigned a vehicle will fan out across the parish to ensure a safe night for trick-or-treaters,” said Sheriff Webre. Adults are encouraged to keep a close watch for all children and report any incidents or suspicious activity to a nearby deputy or by calling us directly.”
Sheriff Webre offers these Halloween safety tips:
Make your child’s costume distinguishable and safe. Ensure your child can easily walk in the costume and that the fabric is flame retardant. Use glow bracelets/sticks, reflective tape, and flashlights. With store-bought costumes, change or add something to make your child distinguishable from others.
Maintain proper supervision for your children. We strongly urge parents to supervise their own children. If you must entrust your child to another adult, obtain up-to-date contact information. If they are headed out with a group, make sure there is a buddy system in place.
Stay off your smartphone. Adults should be ever-vigilant while supervising children, and no one should be walking along the roadside while looking down or distracted. Carry a standard flashlight instead of draining your smartphone battery by attempting to use the built-in light.
Inspect all treats collected. Discard anything that is not sealed, has torn packaging, looks questionable, or could be a choking hazard.
Talk to your children about safety. Remind them to walk (don’t run) on sidewalks or near the edge of the roadway – never in the center and always facing traffic. Remind them to stay in front of residences giving out candy and NEVER enter a residence. Have a plan for in case you and your child get separated. Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
Residents are encouraged to prepare their homes for trick-or-treaters. Clear sidewalks and pathways of any obstacles, and put away anything children could trip over such as hoses, toys, or yard decorations. Turn on your lights so your property is well-lit, and replace any burnt bulbs prior to Halloween. Secure pets so that they will not attack or frighten anyone.
Motorists are encouraged to keep travel to a minimum on Halloween night due to a high number of pedestrians on neighborhood streets. Those who must be on the roads are encouraged to drive cautiously and be alert for children, especially in residential areas. “While it’s always a best practice to eliminate all driving distractions such as smartphones or the radio, we encourage drivers to pay special attention to their driving on Halloween night with so many children present,” said Sheriff Webre. “Children are excited and may move in unpredictable ways.”
Deputies will also be conducting compliance checks for sex offenders on Halloween night. Sex offenders are restricted from wearing masks or handing out candy or gifts on a holiday such as Halloween. Deputies will visit sex offenders in Lafourche Parish to verify they are complying with the terms of their sentences.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced detectives are seeking to identify a suspect in multiple vehicle burglaries in the Raceland area.
On October 19, 2018, detectives began investigating a string of burglaries and attempted burglaries of vehicles along Aspen Drive and Elm Drive in Raceland. An unidentified male suspect was captured on several surveillance cameras burglarizing or attempting to burglarize vehicles on those streets. The suspect is believed to be a Hispanic male or a light-skinned black male, approximately 5’10” to 6’0” tall, and of medium build. He was wearing a hooded shirt with shorts and dark-colored slide sandals.
Anyone who may be able to identify the suspect, or anyone with any other information on this case, is asked to submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region by phone at 1-800-743-7433 or online at www.crimestoppersbr.org. Tips can also be submitted using the P3 Tips app on your mobile device. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 in cash if the information leads to an arrest.
Sheriff Craig Webre announced three people were arrested for an extortion scam in which they impersonated a Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office detective. Brothers James Tardo, 27, and Jordan Tardo, 26, both of Thibodaux, were arrested along with Katie McKee, 19, of Napoleonville.
Through investigation, detectives learned that a man met McKee on a dating site. The two met in person several weeks ago, and McKee later sent nude photos to the man. The man later received messages from an individual claiming to be an LPSO detective, stating that McKee was actually only 16 years old. In an effort to avoid charges, the person impersonating the detective told the man to bring several hundred dollars to the Tardos’ residence on St. Charles Bypass Road. Detectives observed text messages and listened to phone conversations wherein a male subject claimed to be an LPSO detective. That phone number was linked to Jordan Tardo.
Investigators arranged to have the man meet McKee at a public location on the afternoon of Monday, October 22. Instead, detectives arrived at the location and made contact with McKee and Jordan Tardo. They were both taken into custody. At the residence, investigators made contact with James Tardo, and he was in possession of the phone used to impersonate the detective. Investigators learned this phone was used by both Tardo brothers.
All three were booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux. They were charged with one count each of Extortion and False Personation of a Peace Officer. Bond amounts for the Tardos were set at $200,000 each. McKee’s bond was set at $40,000.
The Tardo brothers have extensive criminal histories. Each has been arrested more than a dozen times in Lafourche Parish for various charges.
Further investigation revealed there are likely additional victims of similar scams perpetrated by McKee and the Tardos. Anyone who has fallen victim to a similar extortion scam is asked to contact the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at (985) 532-4326.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a second suspect is now being sought in a department store theft which occurred earlier this month in which over $5,000 in merchandise was stolen. Detectives are now seeking a female and a male suspect in the case, and a reward is being offered for information leading to any arrests.
Shortly after 1:30 p.m. on October 8, 2018, deputies responded to a theft complaint at the Walmart Supercenter located at 16759 Highway 3235 in Cut Off. Upon reviewing surveillance footage, deputies learned that on October 6, a woman had attempted to pay for over $5,000 of merchandise and a $300 gift card using a credit card which was denied. At one point, she distracted the cashier and left the store with the merchandise without paying for it. Deputies have also learned the woman later returned the merchandise to stores and attempted to use the gift card, all at stores in the Baton Rouge area.
Upon further investigation, detectives discovered a second suspect – a male subject – was with the woman at the time of the theft. He entered and exited the store separately from her. They were traveling in a dark-colored sedan.
Anyone who can identify either of the suspects, or anyone who may have any other information on this case, is asked to submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region by phone at 1-800-743-7433 or online at www.crimestoppersbr.org. Tips can also be submitted using the P3 Tips app on your mobile device. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 in cash if the information leads to an arrest.
The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office has announced a Concealed Handgun Training Course will be held on Saturday, November 10, 2018, at the LPSO Shooting Range Facility located at 3451 Highway 182 in Raceland. The class will begin at 8:00 a.m. and last until approximately 5:00 p.m. with a break for lunch. The actual ending time will vary due to class size.
The course will include the following:
One hour of instruction on handgun nomenclature and safe handling procedures of a revolver and semi-automatic pistol.
One hour of instruction on ammunition knowledge and fundamentals of pistol shooting.
Three hours of instruction on the use of deadly force and conflict resolution. (Includes a review of R.S. 14:18 through 14:22 and which may include a review of any other laws relating to the use of deadly force)
One hour of instruction on handgun shooting positions.
One hour of instruction on child access prevention.
Two hours of actual live range fire and proper handgun cleaning procedures. Live range fire shall include 12 rounds each at 5 feet, 10 feet, and 15 feet for a total of 36 rounds.
Must perform at least one safe reload of the handgun at each distance.
Must score 100% hits within the silhouette portion of an NRA B-27 type silhouette target with 36 rounds.
The cost for the course is $110, and advance registration is suggested due to limited class size. This course is a pre-requisite for those applying for a Concealed Handgun Permit from the State of Louisiana. CLICK HERE to register online for the course, or for more information, please contact Captain Lafate Day at (985) 449-4485 or by email at lafate-day@lpso.net.
Participants will need to bring 50 rounds of ammunition, eye protection (sunglasses or eyeglasses are sufficient), and ear protection (muffs or plugs).
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the recent theft of a boat in Gray.
Last month, deputies responded to Lydia Street in Gray in reference to the theft of a boat and trailer which were stolen from the yard just outside a residence. The boat is a 2003 Fishmaster, and it is white with blue trim.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region by phone at 1-800-743-7433 or online at www.crimestoppersbr.org. Tips can also be submitted using the P3 Tips app on your mobile device. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 in cash if the information leads to an arrest.
Sheriff Craig Webre announced five people have been arrested in connection to recent vehicle burglaries in the north and central areas of Lafourche Parish. Kobe Wilson (age 18), Christopher McCormick (age 17), and Curt Pierre Jr. (age 18), all of Thibodaux, were arrested in connection to incidents in the north area of the parish. Jordan Picou (age 26) and Michael Molaison Jr. (age 24), both of Raceland, were charged for incidents in the central area of the parish.
Detectives had been investigating a string of vehicle thefts and burglaries in the north area of Lafourche Parish dating back to late May 2018. Several subdivisions were hit including Highland Lakes, Sugar Ridge, Acadia Woods, Rienzi, and on Millstone Drive.
On Wednesday, October 17, the Lafourche Parish Interagency Crisis Management Unit executed search warrants at McCormick’s and Pierre’s residences in the Marydale community. Two handguns were recovered from McCormick’s residence and several other items of stolen property were found at Pierre’s residence. Through investigation, detectives learned McCormick and Wilson allegedly committed numerous vehicle burglaries and stole three vehicles which were later abandoned near Marydale. Detectives also learned Pierre was given much of the stolen property to store at his residence. All three were booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux. McCormick and Wilson were each charged with three counts of Theft of a Motor Vehicle and 20 counts of Simple Burglary. Their bonds are set at $575,000 each. Pierre was charged with Illegal Possession of Stolen Things, and his bond is set at $75,000.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday morning, detectives had also begun investigating a vehicle theft and vehicle burglary which occurred overnight at residences on Fantastic Acres Boulevard in Mathews. On Wednesday night, deputies and Troopers from Louisiana State Police located the stolen vehicle in Raceland and conducted a traffic stop. Picou and Molaison were traveling in the stolen vehicle and detained. After questioning, they were each arrested and booked with Theft of a Motor Vehicle and Simple Burglary. Picou’s bond is set at $50,000, and Molaison’s bond is set at $25,000.
Sheriff Webre applauded the efforts of investigators in this case and encouraged citizens to keep valuables out of sight and vehicles locked. “Our detectives were diligent and did an outstanding job in this case,” said Sheriff Webre. “Ultimately, the best way to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of vehicle burglary is to remove all valuables from your vehicle and lock your vehicle each night. For the most part, criminals are seeking easy targets with unlocked doors or where valuables are in sight. By removing valuables and locking your vehicle, you dramatically decrease the chances your vehicle will be burglarized or stolen.”
Through the use of social media, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office continues to promote the #9pmRoutine. This national awareness campaign aims to remind citizens to remove valuables from their vehicles, lock their vehicles, and lock their home each night at or before 9 p.m. since most vehicle burglaries occur during the late night or early morning hours.
Kobe WilsonChristopher McCormickCurt Pierre JrMichael Molaison JrJordan Picou
UPDATE (October 16, 2018 at 9:42 a.m.): UZine Langston has been found and is safe.
ORIGINAL RELEASE:
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing teenage girl. Zine Langston, 15, was last seen Monday morning at Thibodaux High School. She has a history of running away, and it is believed she walked out of school at some point on Monday. She was wearing a school uniform consisting of a purple top and khaki bottom. Langston is 5’4” tall, weighs approximately 125 pounds, and has brown hair. Anyone with information on Langston’s whereabouts is asked to call the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 532-2808, or simply call 9-1-1.
Ethan Hansel
