Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

UPDATE: One Arrested, One Sought in Lockport Armed Robbery

UPDATE: Gohil has been arrested.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced one man has been arrested and another is being sought in connection with a November 2024 armed robbery that occurred in Lockport. Clyde “Trey” Hodge III, 28, of Gonzales has been arrested. Investigators have also obtained a warrant for the arrest of Vijay Gohil, 54, of Kenner.

At around 7 p.m. on November 6, 2024, deputies were notified of an armed robbery that occurred just outside a motel in Lockport. Through investigation, detectives learned a man was outside the motel when he was approached by a masked man with a gun who demanded money and the victim’s cell phone. The victim gave cash to the masked man, but he did not have a phone. The masked suspect then forced the victim into a building and closed him inside before leaving the area in a van driven by a second suspect. Through investigation, detectives identified Hodge as the masked man and Gohil as the driver, and they obtained arrest warrants.

On December 2, 2024, Hodge was located by the St. Gabriel Police Department and placed under arrest. He was initially booked into the Iberville Parish Jail. He was later transferred to the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was booked with armed robbery and armed robbery with the use of a firearm. He was released on December 6 after posting bail in the amount of $150,000. He is currently on home incarceration.

Investigators are asking for the public’s help in locating Vijay Gohil who is wanted for principal to armed robbery and principal to armed robbery with the use of a firearm. Anyone who sees him or knows his whereabouts can contact Detective Blake Thibodaux at 985-532-4352 or blake-thibodaux@lpso.net. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Bayou Region Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-743-7433, online at CrimeStoppersBR.org, or via the Bayou Tips app on mobile devices. Tipsters who use Bayou Region Crime Stoppers could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00 in cash if the information leads to an arrest.

Man Sought for Disturbance at Thibodaux High School

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a man is wanted for causing a disturbance at Thibodaux High School last week. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Marvin Rainey, 43, of Thibodaux.

On December 3, 2024, Rainey, a parent of a student at the school, entered a classroom and made several threatening statements to the teacher and students in the class. Following an investigation of the incident, deputies obtained a warrant for Rainey’s arrest for unlawful disruption of the operation of a school (R.S. 14:40.6), a felony. Deputies have made multiple attempts to contact Rainey, but they have been unable to locate him.

Investigators are asking for the public’s help in locating Marvin Rainey. Anyone who sees him or knows his whereabouts can submit a tip anonymously to Bayou Region Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-743-7433, online at CrimeStoppersBR.org, or via the Bayou Tips app on mobile devices. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00 in cash if the information leads to an arrest.

Three Charged in Thursday Night Shooting in Raceland

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced three people have been charged in connection with a shooting incident that occurred in Raceland on Thursday night. Two people were injured in the shooting. Payton Scott, 18, of Bayou Blue, Kayleigh Gregoire, 19, of Houma, and a 16-year-old male all face charges in the incident.

Just after 9:30 p.m. on December 5, 2024, LPSO received a call about a shooting that had occurred in the 100 block of Brooklyn Lane in Raceland. Through investigation, detectives learned Gregoire and another female allegedly lured a 17-year-old male to the residence promising a sexual encounter but planning to have Scott and the juvenile rob him instead. When the victim arrived, Scott and the juvenile approached him and were armed. Gunfire was exchanged between them and the victim who was grazed by one round on his hand. He sought medical treatment at a local hospital and was released. The other female involved was also struck twice in the gunfire exchange, and she was later airlifted to a New Orleans hospital for treatment. She remains in critical but stable condition.

Scott and the juvenile were charged with attempted armed robbery and use of a firearm in an attempted armed robbery. Scott was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. Bail is set at $150,000. The juvenile was placed in the Juvenile Justice Facility in Thibodaux.

Gregoire was charged with principal to attempted armed robbery and principal to attempted armed robbery with the use of a firearm. She was also booked into the Correctional Complex, and bail is set at $150,000.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing, and additional charges are possible.

MISSING PERSON: Kenneth Friedlander

UPDATE: Friedlander has been found and is safe.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in locating 76-year-old Kenneth Friedlander of West Main Street in Cut Off. He was last seen at his home around 6 a.m. on Monday, December 2, 2024. He left his home driving a gray 2021 Toyota Highlander bearing a Louisiana license plate “852 EOG.” His vehicle was reportedly last seen headed westbound on Bayou Road near Tiger Drive in Thibodaux.

Friedlander is described as 6’2” tall, weighing approximately 220 pounds with brown eyes. He is possibly wearing black pants, a black or gray jacket, and a black cap. He suffers from medical issues and may be disoriented. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 532-2808, or simply dial 911.

Lafourche Parish 2024 Property Tax Notices Now Available Online

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced 2024 property taxes can now be viewed and paid online at LPSO.net/PayMyTaxes. Online payments can be made by debit/credit card and e-check, and beginning this year, payments can also be made via PayPal and Venmo. All tax payments are due by December 31, 2024, and delinquent taxes accrue interest of 1% per month until paid per state law plus the cost for delinquent collections. These taxes help fund all aspects of public service in the parish such as roads, drainage, levees, law enforcement, fire departments, hospitals, ambulance services, schools, and recreation.

A printed version of your tax notice will be mailed out soon. A QR code is printed on the notice which can be scanned to pay taxes directly on your smartphone. Alternatively, payments can be mailed using the envelope provided with the tax notice received in the mail. Check, money order or cash will also be accepted at the LPSO Administrative Office (200 Canal Boulevard, Thibodaux), the Criminal Operations Center (805 Crescent Avenue, Lockport) and at the South Lafourche Substation (102 West 91st Street, Cut Off). Taxes can be paid at those offices from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, but offices are closed on weekends and holidays. Payments can also be made over the phone by calling (985) 449-4430, and selecting option 1 for the payment center. (NOTE: For those using online bill pay through a bank, please make payments to Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, P.O. Box 5608, Thibodaux, LA 70302.)

For those unable to pay in full by the end of this year, partial payments can be made at our office or by mailing directly to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, P.O. Box 5608, Thibodaux, LA 70302 instead of using the envelope provided. Each partial payment must be at least 25% of the total amount of property tax due, and the first partial payment must be made by December 31, 2024. The remaining unpaid amount is still subject to the 1% monthly penalty and must be paid in full by March 15, 2025.

Property owners who do not receive a tax notice in the mail are still responsible for the payment of taxes. In some cases, tax bills may be sent to the previous property owner or might be lost in the mail. Additionally, anyone with a mortgage should check with their mortgage company before submitting payment as property taxes are sometimes paid through escrow.

Any unpaid property taxes are subject to tax sale and additional fees and penalties. For more information on this and other details about your tax notice, go to LPSO.net/PayMyTaxes and search “last name, first name.” Questions regarding the amount owed, property assessment or property ownership should be directed to the Lafourche Parish Assessor’s Office at (985) 447-7242. Questions about charges pertaining to property abatement liens should be directed to Lafourche Parish Government by calling (985) 532-6229 or, for those in the Town of Golden Meadow, please call (985) 475-5212.

Sheriff Webre Announced Plan for “Click It Or Ticket” for Thanksgiving Week 2024

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will join other local law enforcement agencies in participating in the Click-It or Ticket campaign which runs from November 23-30, 2024. This campaign is coordinated and funded by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

During the busy Thanksgiving week, millions of Americans will hit the roads, eager to spend time with family and friends. It is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and it is important to follow critical safety practices when traveling, like wearing a seat belt.

During the campaign, additional deputies will be assigned to saturated patrol efforts. They will be focused on ensuring vehicle occupants are properly restrained, including child seats.

According to the Center for Analytics and Research Transportation Safety at LSU, more than half of the drivers and passengers who died in motor vehicle crashes last year were not properly restrained. During the Thanksgiving holiday alone, 454 were injured on Louisiana roads in 2023. Since 2019, 54 people in Louisiana have died in crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Click It or Ticket is a seat belt enforcement campaign aimed at increasing the national seat belt usage rate. Sheriff Craig Webre asks for patience and cooperation when passing through these checkpoints and for recognizing the importance of raising awareness for safety issues.

LPSO Accepting Nominations of Children in Need for 31st Annual Bicycle Giveaway

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office is now accepting nominations of children in need for the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office’s 31st annual Christmas Bicycle Giveaway. Since 1992, more than 5,500 bicycles have been distributed to families in need in our area, including 225 in 2023 alone.

All requests must be completed by Wednesday, December 4, 2024. Requests can be submitted online at LPSO.net/BikeGiveaway.

Due to high demand each year, requests should be limited to no more than two bicycles per household/family, and children must live in Lafourche Parish. LPSO will make every effort to fulfill all requests, but not every person requesting a bike will receive one. Families will be informed whether they have been selected on the day of delivery.

Donations from the public will help fulfill these requests. Monetary donations and donations of new bikes are currently being accepted at all LPSO office locations. Monetary donations are accepted in the form of cash, money orders, or checks made payable to the Lafourche Deputies Association with the words “Bike Giveaway” in the memo line. Bicycles and monetary donations may be dropped off at any Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office location throughout the parish. For more information about making a donation, contact Captain Brennan Matherne at brennan-matherne@lpso.net or call (985) 632-5843.

Narcotics Agents Find Suspected Lockport Drug Dealer with Heroin and Fentanyl

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced narcotics agents arrested a man suspected of selling drugs in the Lockport area. Zavier Triplett, 26, faces multiple charges following the investigation.

Narcotics agents had opened an investigation into Zavier Triplett and the sale of narcotics in the Lockport area. Triplett also had an outstanding warrant for the Town of Lockport. On November 7, 2024, narcotics agents conducted a traffic stop on Triplett’s vehicle. A K-9 unit at the scene alerted to the possible presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. During a subsequent search, agents found suspected heroin and fentanyl inside the vehicle, and Triplett also had possession of additional amounts on his person. In all, agents recovered over 15 grams of heroin and more than 7 grams of fentanyl. The street value of the narcotics recovered is approximately $2,230, and the amount of fentanyl is equal to multiple lethal doses. Agents also discovered a blender and powdered fiber, commonly used in combination with fentanyl and heroin to give a false appearance of larger quantities.

Triplett was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex on the outstanding warrant. He was additionally charged with the operation/creation of a clandestine laboratory for the unlawful manufacture of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, possession of drug paraphernalia, and improper lane usage. Bail is set at $111,200.

The public is reminded to report any drug-related or suspicious activity. Information can be reported directly to the Narcotics Section commander, Lieutenant Adam Dufrene, at (985) 532-4365 or adam-dufrene@lpso.net. Information can also be reported anonymously through Bayou Region Crime Stoppers at 1-800-743-7433, at CrimeStoppersBR.org, or via the Bayou Tips mobile app.

Detectives Requesting Public’s Help in Armed Robbery at Lockport Motel

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced detectives are asking for the public’s assistance to help solve a case involving an armed robbery at a Lockport motel.

At around 7 p.m. on November 6, 2024, deputies were notified of an armed robbery that occurred just outside a motel in Lockport. Through investigation, investigators learned that the male victim was outside the motel when he was approached by a masked man with a gun who demanded money and the victim’s cell phone. The victim gave cash to the masked man, but he did not have a phone. The suspect then forced the victim into a building and closed him inside before leaving the area.

Further investigation revealed the masked man entered a light-colored minivan which was being driven by another male. Images of the van and driver were captured by camera.

Detectives are asking for the public’s help in solving this crime. The driver and passenger are to be considered armed and dangerous, based on their involvement in the crime. The suspect is described as a white male between 5’9” and 6’0” tall. Anyone who can help identify those involved or anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact Detective Blake Thibodaux of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at (985)-532-4352 or by email at blake-thibodaux@lpso.net.

Alternatively, tips can be submitted anonymously to Bayou Region Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-743-7433, online at CrimeStoppersBR.org, or via the Bayou Tips app on mobile devices. Tips submitted through Crime Stoppers could lead to a reward of up to $1,000.00 in cash if the information leads to an arrest.

Bayou Blue Man Charged with Attempted Murder after Striking Man with His Vehicle

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Bayou Blue man has been arrested for intentionally striking a man with his vehicle. Lamor Belanger, 33, is charged with attempted murder and property damage in the incident.

At around 2:45 p.m. on November 9, 2024, deputies responded to a 911 call regarding a crash with injuries in Bayou Blue. They learned Belanger had allegedly rammed his vehicle into another causing severe injuries to a man standing near the vehicle. The male victim was found in critical condition. He was airlifted to a New Orleans hospital for treatment. A woman, who was the driver of the vehicle, was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

Deputies located Belanger’s abandoned vehicle and found him running from the area. He was taken into custody without further incident.

Through investigation, deputies learned Belanger located the woman and the male victim in the area near a Bayou Blue school. Allegedly, the male victim was standing near the open door of his vehicle when Belanger intentionally rammed the other vehicle severely injuring the man. Belanger reportedly exited the vehicle and made threats before fleeing the scene. As he sped away, he struck and damaged a mini bike that belonged to a bystander.

Belanger was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with attempted second degree murder and aggravated criminal damage to property. Bail is set at $150,000.