Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

Lockport Man Dies in Utility Vehicle Crash

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre reported Brian Terrebonne, 61, of Lockport died as a result of a utility vehicle crash in Lockport on September 10, 2019.

At around 8:55 p.m. on Tuesday, LPSO deputies and EMTs with Acadian Ambulance responded to a utility vehicle crash near Bollinger Road in Lockport. Through investigation, deputies learned Alvin Terrebonne, 80, of Lockport was operating a Kubota utility vehicle with his son, Brian Terrebonne, as the passenger when the vehicle crashed into a ditch. Brian Terrebonne was ejected from the vehicle, and the vehicle came to rest on top of him.

Brian Terrebonne was pronounced dead at the scene. Alvin Terrebonne suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Alcohol use is not suspected to be a factor in the crash. The crash remains under investigation.

Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop C and members of the Lockport Volunteer Fire Department and Vacherie-Gheens Volunteer Fire Company responded to the scene to assist.

Raceland Man Facing Charges Including Sexual Battery and Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Raceland man for forcing a child to touch him inappropriately. Stephen Lirette, 32, faces multiple charges in the incident.

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office recently opened an investigation into Lirette after receiving a complaint. Through investigation, detectives learned Lirette forced a child under the age of 13 to touch him inappropriately. When the child began to cry, Lirette reportedly slapped the child in the face.

Following an investigation, Lirette was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile, Sexual Battery, and Simple Battery. His bail has not yet been set.

Due to the nature of the allegations, no further details will be released on this incident.

Two Free Hunter Education Field Days Slated for September

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will host two FREE Hunter Education Field Days in September for anyone age 10 or older who has completed the home study course.

The first Field Day will take place on Wednesday, September 25, 2019 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the LPSO Shooting Range located at 3451 Highway 182 in Raceland. Click here to register for this course.

The second Field Day will take place on Saturday, September 28, 2019 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the LPSO Shooting Range. Click here to register for this course.

As an alternative to the traditional two-day classroom course, a Home Study Course is available online through the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website. Those who complete the home study course MUST take their completion voucher to a “Field Day” to complete their hunter education. Entry to the Field Day will be denied unless the completed forms are presented. There will be a written test required to complete the Field Day. Class size is limited. Advance registration is required.

Firearms and ammunition should NOT be brought to this course, but snacks are permitted. For more information, or for assistance with online registration, call the LPSO Training Academy at (985) 387-4480 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or email Lieutenant Nolan Smith at nolan-smith@lpso.net.

*Anyone born after September 1, 1969, who wishes to obtain a hunting license in Louisiana, must successfully complete a hunter education course. Exceptions may be granted by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for active or veteran members of the United States armed services, for any P.O.S.T.-certified law enforcement officer, or for persons who are under the direct supervision of a person 18-years or older who is already licensed and has taken the approved course. Exceptions must be applied for and approved by Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Rape Aggression Defense Course Slated for Thibodaux in October

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will host a Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) course on October 7, 8, and 9, 2019, at the LPSO Law Enforcement Complex, located at 1300 Lynn Street in Thibodaux.

This self-defense course is designed exclusively for women and will take place over the course of all three days. The class will begin at 6 p.m. and end around 9 p.m. each day. Participants must attend all three days. Course instruction will be provided by certified R.A.D. instructors from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The cost of the course is $10 to cover the cost of course materials and is non-refundable. Class size is limited, and advance registration is required. You can register and pay for the course online at www.LPSO.net/classes. The deadline to register for the class is Friday, October 4, 2019, at 11 a.m.

For more information, please contact Captain Lafate Day at (985) 449-4485 or by email at lafate-day@lpso.net.

Man Arrested for Arson and Burglary of a Boat in Larose

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Larose man has been charged for the burglary and arson of a boat in the South Lafourche area last month. Richard Willyard, 37, was arrested on September 5, 2019.

On the night of August 20, 2019, a fire was reported at a boat repair business in Larose. A boat on a dry dock at the business had caught fire. Firefighters from Lafourche Parish Fire District 3 responded and extinguished the fire, but the boat sustained significant damage. The Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office also responded to investigate into the early morning hours of the following day. It was determined the fire was likely started by arson.

During the investigation, deputies learned the boat had been burglarized after learning that several items were found to be missing from the boat. Nearby surveillance cameras captured images of a man riding a bicycle who appeared to enter the boat and take several items around the time the fire started. From the video and further investigation, detectives developed Richard Willyard as a suspect in the crime.

On Thursday, September 5, LPSO detectives and the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office contacted Willyard at his residence, and he was placed under arrest. Detectives also located a bicycle in his yard matching the one from the video. Willyard was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He is charged with Simple Arson and Simple Burglary. His bail is set at $40,000.

DNA Evidence Leads to Arrest for Vehicle Burglaries

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced DNA evidence has led to the arrest of a Raceland man for vehicle burglaries in the Raceland area in April 2019. Tyrese Thomas, 20, faces multiple counts of burglary and attempted burglary.

On the morning of April 25, 2019, several vehicles were reported to have burglarized overnight in the area of LA Highway 653 in Raceland. Several items of value were stolen during the burglaries. Deputies responded to each burglary and investigated. DNA evidence was collected and submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for processing.

Detectives received results of the DNA testing which identified Tyrese Thomas as the suspect. On September 3, 2019, detectives made contact with Thomas and he admitted to his involvement in several vehicle burglaries.

Thomas was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with six counts of Simple Burglary of a Motor Vehicle and two counts of Attempted Simple Burglary. He was released on September 4 after posting $35,000 bail.

These burglaries remain under investigation as detectives believe Thomas did not act alone. Anyone with additional information on other possible suspects in these crimes 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.

Cut Off Man Arrested for Felony Theft from Employer

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre reported a Cut Off man has been arrested for theft from a private business at which he is employed. Robby Gisclair, 41, is charged with Felony Theft in the investigation.

A local business owner contacted the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office this week on suspicion that Gislcair, an employee, had stolen thousands of dollars of inventory from the business since 2016. Through investigation, detectives obtained a search warrant for Gisclair’s property and discovered several items which were reportedly stolen from the business inventory.

Gisclair was arrested and booked with Felony Theft. He was subsequently released after posting $5,000 bail.

This investigation is continuing.

Man Charged with Third DWI After Blood Alcohol Level Found Over Four Times Legal Limit

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre and Golden Meadow Chief of Police Reggie Pitre announced a man was arrested for DWI after deputies found his blood alcohol level was more than four and a half times the legal limit. Clint Cheramie, 42, of Golden Meadow was arrested on Monday night.

Just before 7:30 p.m. on Monday, September 2, an officer with the Golden Meadow Police Department found a vehicle to be traveling at a rate of speed of 70 miles per hour in an area with a posted speed limit of 50 miles per hour. The officer activated lights and sirens, and the vehicle slowed but did not initially stop. Finally, after traveling some distance, the driver finally pulled the vehicle over. The officer identified the driver as Clint Cheramie. Due to suspicion of impairment, the officer conducted a field sobriety test on which Cheramie performed poorly.

Cheramie was transported to the South Lafourche Sub-station where LPSO deputies assisted with the investigation. Cheramie submitted to a breathalyzer test which found him to have a blood alcohol level of .364% – more than four and a half times the legal limit. Deputies also found he had two previous DWI arrests, one in 2017 and most recently in July 2019.

Cheramie was charged with DWI (3rd Offense), Speeding, and Resisting an Officer. He was released after posting $15,000 bail.

Seat Belt Checkpoints Slated for September 4 and 12

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will conduct seat belt checkpoints in Lafourche Parish during the daytime hours of September 4, 2019, and September 12, 2019. During these checkpoints, deputies will be checking motorists for seat belt and safety seat violations, as well as for proper inspection tags and other potential violations. Checkpoints are designed to help raise awareness for these types of violations and make the highways of the parish safer for all motorists.

LPSO to Participate in Back to School Distracted Driving Enforcement Campaign

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will be joining forces with law enforcement agencies throughout the state to combat distracted driving in school zones. This is part of a statewide effort entitled the Back to School Distracted Driving Enforcement Campaign. The purpose of the campaign, slated for September 3-6, 2019, is to raise awareness for the ban of handheld cell phone use in school zones through a coordinated statewide effort.

Motorists are expected to be particularly attentive while driving in areas where children are present such as school zones. The use of cell phones is prohibited in school zones where signs are present indicating a “hands-free” zone. This means that use of a cell phone or similar device is prohibited within the school zone unless the device can be used hands-free, such as with a Bluetooth headset.

“I understand as well as anyone how connected we are to our smartphones in 2019, but we must understand the significant dangers caused by using cell phones while driving,” said Sheriff Webre. “The safety of students, faculty and our school crossing guards remains a top priority for our agency. We are happy to participate in this statewide effort to ensure their continued safety.”

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Traffic Section already provides regular enforcement of distracted driving in school zones throughout the parish on a regular basis. The public will see an increased presence of deputies in school zones during the enforcement period.