Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

Golden Meadow Man Armed with Crowbar Invades Home, Strikes Two Men

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a man was arrested after he invaded a Golden Meadow home with a crowbar and struck two men on Monday morning. Randy Borne Jr., 40, of Golden Meadow was arrested on December 9, 2019.

Just prior to 7 a.m. on Monday, December 9, deputies responded to a residence on LA Highway 1 in Golden Meadow. Through investigation, deputies learned two men were sleeping at the residence that morning when Randy Borne arrived and entered the residence with a crowbar. Borne was known to the two men, and he believed an ex-girlfriend was present and demanded to know where she was. As Borne searched the house, he struck one of the men in the head with the crowbar and punched the other in the head. He then left the home and walked toward the highway.

Deputies located Borne at his residence, and he was taken into custody. He was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with Home Invasion, Aggravated Battery with a Dangerous Weapon, and Simple Battery. He was also charged with a probation violation for a previous conviction of Domestic Abuse Battery. He is currently being held without bail.

Detectives Investigating Shooting in Bayou Blue

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced detectives are investigating a shooting incident that occurred on Palmisano Drive in Bayou Blue on Monday evening. One man was shot in the arm and was taken to a hospital where he is currently being treated. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is continuing. The incident was reported at around 7:20 p.m. on Monday, December 9, 2019.

Anyone with any knowledge of this incident 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 Webre Announces Plans for Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will join other local law enforcement agencies in participating in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign which runs December 13, 2019, through January 1, 2020. 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 conducting checkpoints for seat belt usage and impaired drivers. More specific information on the checkpoints will be announced at a later date.

During a seat belt checkpoint, deputies check for seat belt and safety seat violations, as well as other violations such as expired inspection tags. During a DWI checkpoint, deputies look for impaired drivers while checking for other traffic safety issues. Lafourche Parish is a “No Refusal” parish, meaning if a suspected drunk driver refuses a breathalyzer test, deputies will seek a search warrant to have that person’s blood tested.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunk driving is a deadly epidemic that takes the lives of more than 10,000 people each year, on average. In 2018, 311 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in Louisiana alone.

Sheriff Craig Webre reminds citizens to have a plan to get home safely before you decide 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.

Detectives Investigating Theft of Copper Wire from a Larose Business

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in an investigation into the theft of copper wire from a Larose business.

Last week, detectives responded to a report of theft at a business in Larose. Detectives learned over 250 feet of copper wire was stolen from the business. Surveillance cameras captured images of the suspects.

Deputies are now seeking the public’s help in this case. Anyone who may recognize the suspects or anyone with any knowledge of this crime 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.

Traffic Stop for Broken Taillight Leads to Drug Bust

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a traffic stop for a broken taillight led to two arrests for narcotics charges. Ronald Brown, 31, and Shayla Samuels, 35, both of Raceland, were arrested in the incident.

At around 9:45 p.m. on December 5, 2019, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling on LA Highway 182 in Raceland with a broken taillight. Deputies made contact with the vehicle occupants and identified the driver as Brown and the passenger as Samuels. Deputies immediately detected the odor of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle and asked for assistance from a K-9 deputy. The K-9 unit arrived and alerted to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. Deputies searched the vehicle and found suspected narcotics including approximately 13.3 grams of crack cocaine, 7.7 grams of methamphetamine, and five doses of MDMA.

Brown and Samuels were both charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Crack Cocaine and Methamphetamine, as well as Possession of MDMA. Samuels was also released on December 6, 2019, after posting $52,000 bail. Brown was additionally charged with the broken taillight, and he was released on December 8, 2019, after posting $52,100 bail.

Raceland Man Arrested after Stabbing Another Man During Night of Drinking

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Raceland man for allegedly stabbing another man on Wednesday night. Henry Chapman is charged with Aggravated Second Degree Battery.

Just after 11 p.m. on December 4, 2019, deputies responded to a reported stabbing on Greenville Street in Raceland. Through investigation, deputies learned Chapman and another were at Chapman’s residence and both were consuming alcoholic beverages. At one point, Chapman produced a knife and stabbed the man several times. The victim was able to get away and walked to his nearby residence for help. The victim was found to have several wounds.

Meanwhile, additional deputies arrived in the area and took Chapman into custody at his residence. Investigators recovered a knife at the scene which is believed to be the one used in the incident. Chapman was arrested and charged with Aggravated Second Degree Battery. He was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. Bail has not yet been set.

SCAM ALERT: Warrant Scam Affecting Lafourche Residents

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is warning citizens of a warrant scam which is again targeting our area. Several citizens reportedly received similar scam calls over the past few days.

In this version of this scam, the caller poses as a deputy or ranking member of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office and knows personal information about the victim. In some instances, the call appears to originate from a legitimate Sheriff’s Office number. The caller informs the victim that he or she has an active arrest warrant and must pay immediately by a prepaid debit card, electronic money order, or gift card to avoid arrest.

LPSO does attempt to notify individuals when fees and fines are due, but those individuals are directed to pay via our website at www.LPSO.net or in person at our office. In the event you would choose to pay a fine or ticket by phone, only a credit or debit card would be accepted. Prepaid debit cards, electronic money orders, and gift cards would not be acceptable forms of payment. If you fail to pay a fine or show up for court, and a warrant is issued for your arrest, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office would not call demanding payment. You can also verify warrants and certain fines due on the LPSO website.

“As technology improves, these scams have become more sophisticated,” said Sheriff Webre. “Still, all the usual signs of a scam are still present, and we want citizens to become familiar with these tactics.”

Like every scam, this one contains aspects of reality as well as typical signs of a scam. The demand for “immediate” payment by an incoming caller and the payment method (prepaid debit card, electronic money order, or gift card) are two signs this is a scam.

Other signs of a scam could include a caller asking you to send money to receive money or prizes, a caller using threatening or vulgar language, or someone calling from a department, but not giving the name of the company.

Ultimately, if you are concerned the call may be legitimate, simply hang up and call the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 532-2808. Do not call a number given to you by the incoming caller unless you verify it first. We encourage you to call the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office BEFORE you send money if you have any doubt about the authenticity of any call. We would be happy to assist you to ensure you do not become the next scam victim. It is not necessary to report every phone scam, but if you lose money in a scam or receive threats of physical harm or violence, you should report it to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office or your local law enforcement agency.

LA 1 CLOSED Due to School Bus Crash (No Injuries)

UPDATE: the crash has been cleared, and the roadway is back open.

ORIGINAL RELEASE:

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre reported LA Highway 1 is currently CLOSED due to a single-vehicle crash near West 56th Street in Cut Off. A school bus turning from West 56th Street to LA 1 ran off the roadway into a ditch. In addition to the driver, there were 34 children on board. No injuries were reported. All parents have been notified.

The closure is expected to last at least 30-60 minutes to allow for the removal of the bus from the ditch. Motorists should detour to LA 308 or LA 3235 during the closure.

UPDATE: Man Charged with Additional Sex Crimes after Fifth Victim Comes Forward

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a man arrested in October for sex crimes involving four victims faces new charges after a fifth victim has come forward. Gregory Berthusen, 53, of Cut Off now faces additional charges of indecent behavior and sexual battery.

In October 2019, Berthusen was arrested as a result of an investigation. Juvenile detectives found he allegedly had inappropriate contact with three teenage juvenile girls. A fourth victim, now an adult, reported Berthusen had sexually abused her for years beginning when she was nine years old.

Since that time, a fifth victim has come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct. Following further investigation, Berthusen was charged with one additional count each of Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile and Sexual Battery.

In all, Berthusen is now charged six counts of Sexual Battery, four counts of Indecent Behavior with Juveniles, and one count of Molestation of a Juvenile. His bail is now set at $705,000.

The investigation into Berthusen is continuing. Due to the nature of the crimes and investigation, detectives believe there may be additional victims. Any other victims are encouraged to contact Lieutenant Sean Scott of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at (985) 532-4334.

Sheriff Webre Offers Consumer Safety Tips for the 2019 Holiday Shopping Season

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is offering safety tips for consumers to protect themselves while shopping at stores and online. Retail outlets are advertising significant price cuts and other deals this week in an effort to lure customers. Unfortunately, these deals and the increased number of shoppers tend to lure criminals as well.

“Deputies are conducting extra patrols around shopping centers and stores to keep consumers safe, but there are ways you can protect yourself and minimize your risk of becoming a victim,” said Sheriff Webre.

PARKING: Park your vehicle in a well-lit area away from large objects. Lock your vehicle. Never leave keys in the vehicle or leave it running unattended. Hide all purchases in the trunk or use blankets to conceal them.
PAYMENT: Using a credit card is the safest method of payment. Only keep cash on you in the amount necessary. If you need to enter a PIN, shield the keypad from bystanders. Save the most expensive purchases for last so they are in your vehicle only for a short time.
RETURNING TO VEHICLE: Stay off your phone to avoid distractions. Locate your keys before leaving the store. Check the backseat before entering your vehicle. Upon entering, lock your doors immediately. Change parking locations each time you return to your vehicle.

Con artists may try to distract you to steal your money or belongings. Be wary of anyone approaching you needing “quick cash” or offering you a large check for a smaller amount of cash. Consider shopping with a partner since criminals are more likely to target someone shopping alone. If possible, avoid bringing children shopping as they can hinder your safety by diverting your attention.

Here are a few tips for online shoppers:

Look for the “secure” icon in the address bar, or check that the website address begins with “https.”
Avoid phishing scams by typing the address of the website instead of clicking a link.
Only shop with companies you know and trust.
Avoid public Wi-Fi when shopping from a mobile device.
Ensure packages will be delivered to a person at a home or office, or opt to pick up the package at a store.

Once your purchases have made it to your home, follow these precautions:

Always keep your doors and windows locked.
Keep blinds or curtains closed to ensure merchandise and gifts are not visible from outside.
Break down large boxes for high-value items instead of placing them near the roadside.
Place all trash in black or dark-colored garbage bags.
Avoid any social media posts indicating you are not home.

If your family is vacationing during the holidays for an extended period of time, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to check on your house daily. Have them pick up any mail and newspapers to avoid the appearance that no one is home.

All shoppers should save receipts and order confirmations as these are key in tracking down stolen property. If your credit card is lost, stolen, or misused, immediately notify your credit card issuer. If you know your card to have been stolen or if fraudulent charges appear on your account, you should also contact the Sheriff’s Office to file a complaint. If possible, consumers are encouraged to always monitor online banking records for fraudulent activity, especially during the holiday season.

Citizens are also advised to be wary of phone scams, especially for fake charities, which tend to occur during the holiday season. Always attempt to verify a charity by researching online, and NEVER give personal or financial information over the phone to an incoming caller.

For more useful safety information, go to our website at www.LPSO.net.