Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced detectives are investigating a shooting incident between two vehicles traveling on a Raceland highway Saturday evening. No injuries have been reported in the incident.

At around 7 p.m. on May 8, 2021, deputies and detectives responded to several calls of a shooting involving two vehicles traveling in Raceland. Investigators learned the incident began on the LA 182 north bridge spanning Bayou Lafourche. On the bridge, someone traveling in a red or maroon Hyundai exited the vehicle and began shooting at occupants in a gray Nissan Maxima. Both vehicles then began traveling west on LA 182 toward Bayou Blue. As they were traveling west, additional shots were fired.

Investigators located the Nissan in Raceland with damage from at least one round. Detectives also recovered several bullet casings from the area of the incident.

No arrests have yet been made as the incident remains under investigation. As the investigation continues, detectives are asking for the public’s assistance. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region by phone at 1-800-743-7433, online at www.crimestoppersbr.org, or via the P3 Tips mobile app. 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 announced the arrest of a convicted felon. Arrondrick Shelby Jr., 23, of Raceland faces several charges including possession of drugs and a firearm.

On the afternoon of May 2, 2021, deputies investigated a complaint that Shelby had pulled a gun out and pointed at another man during a verbal altercation on Brocato Lane in Raceland. Deputies were unable to locate Shelby at that time and obtained a warrant for his arrest.

Through investigation, narcotics agents learned Shelby was in possession of narcotics as well as firearms. Agents obtained a search warrant for Shelby’s residence on Brocato Lane. On May 6, 2021, agents contacted Shelby at his residence and he was taken into custody. During the search, agents found approximately 200 grams of marijuana in small individually wrapped plastic bags as well as a handgun with an extended magazine.

Shelby was transported to the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was booked with Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Illegal Carrying of a Weapon in the Presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, and Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana. Bail is set at $75,000, but he is also being held for Louisiana Probation and Parole.

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 P3 Tips mobile app.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced narcotics agents executed several search warrants in the South Lafourche area on Wednesday which resulted in eight arrests.

On April 28, 2021, agents received information regarding L.J. Danos, 38, of Larose possibly in possession of a large amount of heroin. With assistance from narcotics agents from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, LPSO agents located Danos at a camper located on East Main Street in Cut Off owned by Gary Robinson, 53, of Grand Isle. Danos was present with several other individuals, including Richard Baldwin, 40, of Galliano and Charlene Blanchard, 33, of Grand Isle who had active warrants. Agents obtained search warrants and found over 200 grams of heroin in Danos’ possession. The street value of the heroin is approximately $20,000. Inside the camper, agents discovered $3,200 in cash and a small amount of Suboxone later determined to belong to Robinson and Rebecca Hickox, 49, of Cut Off.

Agents also learned that Robinson was at a Larose motel. Agents proceeded to the motel and located Robinson and Kristin Williams, 35, of Galliano. They were found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

All six were arrested and transported to the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux for booking as follows:

• Danos: Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bail is set at $50,500.
• Robinson: Possession of Methamphetamine, Suboxone, and Drug Paraphernalia. Bail is set at $10,000.
• Williams: Possession of Methamphetamine and Drug Paraphernalia. Bail is not yet set.
• Baldwin: four counts of contempt of court. Bail is set at $13,045.
• Hickox: Possession of Suboxone, contempt of court. Bail is set at $5,400.
• Blanchard: contempt of court. Bail is set at $750.

Also on Wednesday, agents conducted a traffic stop on an SUV just north of the Larose area and identified convicted felon Jerome Theriot, 50, of Larose as the driver. A K-9 deputy on scene alerted to the possible presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. Agents discovered narcotics and a firearm inside the SUV. Through further investigation, agents obtained a search warrant for Theriot’s residence on West 1st Street. There, agents located Jillien Jarvis, 39, of Golden Meadow who had several active warrants. They also discovered additional narcotics and drug paraphernalia. Theriot and Jarvis were both transported to the Correctional Complex for booking.

Theriot was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia, as well as Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Illegal Carrying of a Weapon in the Presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, and improper vehicle lighting. Bail is set at $30,650.

Jarvis was booked on active warrants for a probation violation and three counts of contempt. She was also charged with Possession of Marijuana, Methamphetamine and Drug Paraphernalia. She is being held without bail due to the probation violation.

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 P3 Tips mobile app.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced two men have been arrested in connection with an investigation into contractor fraud. Joshua Comardelle, 44, of Des Allemands and Richard Comardelle Jr., 44, of Larose each face charges in the investigation.

Beginning in March 2021, detectives began an investigation into Joshua Comardelle after allegations he had accepted money for residential work several months prior but had not completed the job. The victim also indicated that Joshua Comardelle would not return his phone calls after a while. During that investigation, two additional victims came forward with allegations that money had been paid but work had not been started or completed. In all, more than $19,000 had been paid to Joshua Comardelle for three jobs he had not completed. Additionally, Richard Comardelle Jr. was found to be involved in two of the incidents.

Following an investigation, detectives obtained arrest warrants for both men. On Tuesday, April 27, deputies made contact with the Comardelles in the Galliano area. They were arrested and transported to the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux for booking.

Joshua Comardelle was booked on warrants for three counts of Residential Contractor Fraud. He subsequently posted $75,000 bail and was released Tuesday night.

Richard Comardelle Jr. was booked on warrants for two counts of Residential Contractor Fraud and two counts of Contempt of Court. He remains in custody, and bail is set at $35,000.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced investigators are seeking to identify a man wanted in connection to several shoplifting complaints at a Mathews department store.

On April 19, 2021, deputies responded to a report of an attempted shoplifting at the Walmart Supercenter located at 4858 Highway 1 in Mathews. A man had attempted to leave the store without paying for several hundred dollars of items which were in a cart. As he was walking out, store employees stopped the man and grabbed the cart. They told the man to remain on scene while waiting for law enforcement, but he left the area on foot. The man had been dropped off at the store by someone driving a black pickup truck. Further investigation revealed the store had been investigating several other recent shoplifting incidents involving the same man. Over $1,000 in merchandise had been stolen in those incidents.

Investigators are asking for the public’s assistance to identify this man. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region by phone at 1-800-743-7433 or online at www.crimestoppersbr.org. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers through the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office mobile app. 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 announced three people have been arrested after narcotics agents seized methamphetamine, cash and other related items during a search of a Gheens Residence. Gary Allan Matherne, 25, was arrested along with his father, Gary Matherne Jr., 53, and Sierra Cheramie, 30.

Agents began an investigation after receiving a tip about possible illegal drug activity at the Mathernes’ residence on South Leon Drive in Gheens. Agents obtained a search warrant for the residence and arrived on April 15, 2021. Gary Allan Matherne was present at the residence along with several others including Gary Matherne Jr. and Sierra Cheramie. During the search, agents located approximately 6.8 ounces of methamphetamine, $4,396 in cash, and various items commonly associated with the sale of illegal narcotics, all of which was determined to belong to Gary Allan Matherne. Agents also found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in a room in the residence which was determined to belong to Gary Matherne Jr. and Cheramie. All three were transported to the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex for booking.

Gary Allan Matherne was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and his bail is set at $250,300.

Gary Matherne Jr. was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and his bail is set at $25,300.

Sierra Cheramie was also charged with Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and her bail is set at $2,300.

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 P3 Tips mobile app.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a fugitive who fled from deputies was involved in a crash with two other vehicles in Raceland. Ashley Truehill, 39, of Belle Rose had an active warrant for Thibodaux Police.  Truehill suffered moderate injuries in the crash, and three occupants in the other vehicles received minor injuries.

At around 8:50 a.m., on April 14, 2021, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about a person who appeared to be sleeping in a car parked in front of a discount store in Raceland. Deputies arrived and confirmed the driver was asleep with the vehicle running. Deputies made contact with Truehill and asked for identification. While checking his information, Truehill entered his vehicle and began driving southbound on LA Highway 1. Deputies followed Truehill and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Truehill refused to stop, turning onto Leonard Street. Driving through a residential area, he later drove onto St. Phillip Street before turning northbound onto LA 1. After passing the intersection with LA Highway 182, Truehill continued driving at excessive speeds and attempted to pass an SUV on the shoulder of the highway when he struck the SUV, causing the SUV to strike a pickup truck. Truehill’s car continued and came to rest after crashing into a tree. Truehill exited the car and began running but was quickly apprehended. The two occupants in the SUV and the single occupant of the truck suffered minor injuries in the crash.

Truehill was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Upon his release, he will be booked on the warrant for Thibodaux Police for Stalking and Home Invasion. Criminal charges relating to the crash are also pending as our investigation continues. Louisiana State Police is investigating the crash itself.