Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre and Thibodaux Chief of Police Bryan Zeringue are asking for the public’s help in identifying two individuals wanted for questioning in reference to vehicle burglaries in the Thibodaux area.
On December 31, 2021, deputies responded to Camellia Drive in Thibodaux where several vehicles had been burglarized overnight. Deputies responded to an additional burglary on St. Bernard Street on the following day. Surveillance cameras captured images of the individuals burglarizing vehicles.
The Thibodaux Police Department is also investigating car burglaries involving the same individuals.
Investigators are asking the public for assistance in identifying these suspects. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region by phone at 1-800-743-7433, online at CrimeStoppersBR.org, or through the Bayou Tips app on mobile devices. 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 a policy change to allow beards year-round after deputies raised thousands of dollars in charitable donations in November and December. A bulk of the donations were collected for the American Cancer Society and Special Olympics Louisiana, but deputies also raised money for more than 20 other nonprofit organizations.
“In recent years, we have been allowing deputies to pay $25 to grow a beard during these winter months to help some worthwhile causes,” said Sheriff Webre. “After what we’ve been through in the past two years, I figured there are plenty of great causes to allow this to continue all year. So, I am changing No Shave November into No Shave Forever.”
Beginning January 1, 2022, deputies who wish to maintain a beard will donate $20 per month to charity. As an alternative, anyone wishing to donate without growing a beard will be allowed to dress more casually on Fridays if their position allows.
Traditionally, many law enforcement agencies only allowed officers to grow mustaches but no beards. This new Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office policy to allow beards aligns with many law enforcement agencies throughout the country as they seek to look more like the populations they serve.
“Beards have become more commonplace and accepted in our society, even in professional settings,” said Sheriff Webre. “The public has had a positive reception to our deputies’ beards. I’ve even received positive comments myself, so I will be participating along with many deputies, and it’s all for great causes.”
During the months of November and December 2021, deputies raised $2,595 for the American Cancer Society and $1,260 for Special Olympics Louisiana. This is part of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office overall fundraising efforts for Relay for Life and the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, respectively.
This year, deputies were also allowed to donate to a charity of their choosing. This led to donations to 22 other charities. Those charities included the following:
Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office is joining other local law enforcement agencies in participating in the ongoing national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign which runs through January 1, 2022. The campaign is coordinated and funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.
Additional deputies will be assigned to saturated patrol efforts to target impaired drivers and help keep motorists safe. Deputies will also be assisting local agencies in a checkpoint which will be announced at a later date.
Sheriff Craig Webre reminds citizens to have a plan to get home safely before deciding to drink. Never drive if you have had anything to drink containing alcohol. Remember that driving under the influence of illegal narcotics can also lead to a DWI arrest. In fact, some legal medications can impair your ability to drive. Always read warning labels and instructions on prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Sheriff Webre also thanks citizens for their cooperation and patience when passing through these checkpoints and for recognizing the importance of raising awareness for safety issues.
From left to right: Sheriff Craig Webre, Thibodaux Family Church Pastor Duane Bland, The Lorio Foundation Executive Director Cam Morvant, and Crystal Chiasson (LPSO employee)
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced more than 800 jackets have been acquired for children in need who are attending school in Lafourche Parish. A total of 555 jackets have been purchased through a grant by The Lorio Foundation in addition to around 250 collected through a recent donation drive.
In October 2021, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office teamed up with Bless Your Heart Nonprofit Corporation to collect light jackets for school-aged children as part of Hurricane Ida relief efforts. Approximately 250 jackets were collected and distributed by volunteers through Bless Your Heart’s uniform distribution in November.
Recognizing a larger need in our community, Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office employees worked with Thibodaux Family Church to obtain additional jackets. Thanks to a grant from The Lorio Foundation in the amount of $15,000 to Thibodaux Family Church, 555 additional jackets were purchased from Johnny’s Men’s Shop and Jake’s Uniforms in Thibodaux.
“With so much going on during Hurricane Ida recovery, it’s a blessing to be involved in this endeavor to make sure every kid has a jacket for the winter,” said Sheriff Craig Webre. “We are thankful to The Lorio Foundation for their generous donation, and we appreciate the efforts of Thibodaux Family Church and Bless Your Heart Nonprofit as we continue to rebuild Lafourche Parish.”
The jackets will now be distributed to schools throughout Lafourche Parish for any children in need.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Cut Off man for an armed robbery at a pharmacy. Joseph Basse, 25, was arrested following the incident on Sunday afternoon.
Shortly after 4:45 p.m. on December 19, 2021, deputies responded to a disturbance at CVS Pharmacy on West Main Street in Cut Off. A man, later identified as a Basse, was causing a disturbance and arguing with store employees. He was attempting to steal a mask and told employees he was armed with a knife. He walked out of the store momentarily and then returned.
Deputies arrived on the scene, and Basse was taken into custody without further incident. He was transported to Thibodaux and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex. He was charged with Armed Robbery and Disturbing the Peace. He also had an active warrant for Contempt of Court for the Town of Golden Meadow. Bail is set at $100,550.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a fugitive with several felony warrants has been arrested following a multi-agency investigation. Daitrean Butler, 20, of Houma was arrested on Thursday and faces additional charges after he was found with narcotics. Deion Crappel, 25, of Raceland, who was with Butler, was also arrested. The arrests were the result of a joint investigation involving the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, Houma Police Department, Louisiana State Police, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
On December 15, 2021, the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office in locating Butler who was wanted for armed robbery, aggravated burglary, drug charges and other felonies. Terrebonne investigators located Butler in the Raceland area. LPSO deputies then conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in which Butler was a passenger, and he was taken into custody. Crappel was the driver of the vehicle.
During the traffic stop, a K-9 unit alerted to the possible presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, deputies located approximately 31.5 grams of suspected fentanyl and heroin, seven grams of marijuana, and a small amount of hydrocodone. After learning of possible narcotics at Crappel’s residence, deputies obtained a search warrant and located over 100 grams of fentanyl and heroin, over 6 pounds of marijuana, additional hydrocodone pills, and drug paraphernalia. They also found two guns, one of which was reported stolen out of Mississippi.
Both Butler and Crappel were transported to the Lafourche Parish Correctional Center in Thibodaux for booking.
Butler was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Heroin, and Marijuana. He was also charged with Possession of Hydrocodone, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, and Illegal Carrying of a Weapon in the Presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance. His bond has not yet been set in Lafourche, but he is also being held for Terrebonne Parish where he has warrants for Armed Robbery, Aggravated Burglary, Aggravated Flight from an Officer, Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin, and several other gun and drug charges.
Crappel was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Heroin, and Marijuana. He was also charged with Possession of Hydrocodone, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, and Illegal Carrying of a Weapon in the Presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance. His bond has also not yet been set.
Citizens are reminded that they can report any drug-related or suspicious activity. Information can be reported directly to the Narcotics section commander, Lieutenant Derek Champagne, at (985) 532-4365 or derek-champagne@lpso.net. Information can also be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region at 1-800-743-7433, online at CrimeStoppersBR.org, or via the Bayou Tips app on mobile devices.
K9 Siren With Seized ItemsDaitrean ButlerDeion Crappel
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced detectives are investigating an overnight drive-by shooting in Raceland. No injuries were reported, but a residence and a vehicle were struck by gunfire.
Just after 1 a.m. on Thursday, December 16, 2021, deputies responded to a call of shots fired at a Raceland residence in the 100 block of Kahn Street. Deputies located multiple shell casings in the roadway. A total of eight individuals were in the residence, but no one was injured. Investigators found the home and a vehicle parked outside the home to be damaged by rounds.
Witnesses reported three suspicious vehicles traveling in the neighborhood prior to the shooting. Those included a white car, a black car, and a truck.
Detectives are asking the public for assistance in this investigation. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region by phone at 1-800-743-7433, online at CrimeStoppersBR.org, or through the Bayou Tips app on mobile devices. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 in cash if the information leads to an arrest.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in locating 14-year-old Johnta Robertson of Karla Drive in Thibodaux. He was last seen heading to school on Wednesday morning, December 8, 2021, but he did not return home after school.
Robertson is described as 5’4” tall, weighing approximately 140 pounds with black hair. He was last seen wearing khaki pants, red and black Adidas shoes, and a red and black hooded sweatshirt with a white polo shirt underneath. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 532-2808, or simply dial 911.
UPDATE: The victim in this incident has been identified as 50-year-old Soyica Tillman.
ORIGINAL RELEASE:
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred overnight in Solar Trailer Park in Thibodaux.
At around 12:40 a.m., deputies traveling in the Thibodaux area heard several gunshots in the area of Solar Trailer Park. Deputies proceeded to the location and discovered the body of an unidentified man with a suspected gunshot wound. The man was lying on the ground in front of a residence.
As the investigation continues, detectives are asking anyone with information to submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region at 1-800-743-7433, online at CrimeStoppersBR.org, or via the Bayou Tips app on mobile devices.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Raceland man is charged with attempted murder in connection to a shooting that occurred overnight on Sunday. Michael Harris III, 20, is also charged with attempted burglary.
At around 6:45 p.m. on November 28, 2021, deputies responded to a report of an attempted vehicle burglary in the 400 block of St. Phillip Street in Raceland in which Harris was the suspect. Harris fled the area prior to law enforcement arriving.
Then, approximately three and a half hours later, Harris returned to the same residence and reportedly shot a woman. The victim appeared to have suffered wounds to her left foot and left leg, and she was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Through investigation, detectives learned Harris allegedly fired shots through the door of the residence knowing the victim was inside. Investigators were unable to locate Harris at that time, and they obtained a warrant for his arrest.
On Monday afternoon, Harris surrendered to authorities. He was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex on charges of Attempted Second Degree Murder and Attempted Simple Burglary. Bail is set at $255,000.
