374 stories in our archive · page 10 of 16.
Crime & Public SafetyEunice Police Department detectives have identified Demarkus Jamal Johnson of Eunice as the suspect in an armed robbery at a local Sonic Drive-In. Johnson is also identified as an escapee from St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office jail. The arrest highlights ongoing public safety concerns in the Acadiana region.
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Crime & Public SafetyDemarkus Jamal Johnson of Eunice has been identified as the suspect in an armed robbery at a local Sonic restaurant. An arrest warrant has been issued for Johnson, who is considered armed and dangerous by police. Authorities are actively seeking his apprehension.
Read moreCrime & Public SafetyThe FDA has upgraded its recall of Zapps and Dirty brand potato chips to its highest alert level due to salmonella contamination risk. Zapps is a popular Louisiana-based snack brand, making this recall particularly relevant to Acadiana residents. Hundreds of thousands of bags of these locally-produced chips are affected by the safety warning.
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Crime & Public SafetyA traffic stop in Evangeline Parish on April 5 resulted in the arrest of a cyclist on drug-related charges. The arrest was made during a routine traffic stop in the parish. This incident highlights ongoing law enforcement operations in the Acadiana region.
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Crime & Public SafetyTwo teens have been arrested in connection with a drive-by shooting in Church Point. Alasiah Breaux, 18, of Opelousas was charged with assault by drive-by shooting and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, while a 14-year-old was also identified as a suspect and arrested in the incident.
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Crime & Public SafetyDavid Celestine has been sentenced to 20 years at hard labor without parole after a Lafayette Parish jury convicted him of third-degree rape and aggravated burglary. The conviction stemmed from a 2019 attack at a Youngsville home where Celestine claimed he was intoxicated and mistakenly believed the victim was his wife. The sentence was handed down following the jury trial that found him guilty on both charges.
Read moreCrime & Public SafetyTwo residents of Breaux Bridge were killed in a crash in Arnaudville on July 1, 2026. The victims were identified as Kiemonte Pigott and Darius Haywood. The incident occurred in St. Martin Parish, which is part of the greater Acadiana region.
Read moreCrime & Public SafetyA fatal three-vehicle crash on Interstate 10 East near Jennings in Acadia Parish claimed the life of Dana Ortego of Branch. The collision occurred near milepost 67, resulting in at least one fatality in the multi-vehicle incident.
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Crime & Public SafetyLouisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill's office announced 21 arrests in a statewide Medicaid fraud crackdown, including two women from Acadia Parish. The investigation targeted individuals accused of defrauding the program of thousands of dollars through cases handled by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit over the past year.
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Crime & Public SafetyA fatal three-vehicle crash occurred on Interstate 10 East near milepost 67 in Jennings, claiming the life of 54-year-old Dana Ortego of Branch. Authorities responded to the incident where Ortego's 2022 GMC Canyon was traveling in the left lane behind a Chevrolet Tahoe when traffic slowed due to an object in the roadway.
Read moreCrime & Public SafetyTwo Breaux Bridge residents, Kiemonte Pigott, 32, and Darius Haywood, 30, died in a single-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 686 in St. Martin Parish near Moise Mallet Road on July 1. According to preliminary investigation, a 2010 Chevrolet Impala was traveling west when the fatal accident occurred.
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Crime & Public SafetyA 10th arrest has been made in a Louisiana child predator operation conducted on June 17-18. Reid Hebert, 34, of Erath, was arrested and charged with Indecent Behavior and Computer Aided Solicitation of a minor. The ongoing undercover operation has resulted in multiple arrests targeting child exploitation offenses.
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Crime & Public SafetyA 48-year-old Mississippi man was arrested on I-10 in Lafayette after authorities discovered approximately 12.51 pounds of cocaine during a traffic stop. Keith Williams of Canton, Mississippi faces multiple drug charges following the discovery made Tuesday evening. The bust represents a significant drug seizure for the Lafayette area.
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Crime & Public SafetyAuthorities are actively searching for a suspect involved in an armed robbery at a Sonic restaurant in Eunice on June 28. The suspect fled the scene with approximately $300 in cash. Law enforcement is asking for the public's assistance in locating the armed robbery suspect.
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Crime & Public SafetyA DeQuincy man has been charged with additional rape and child pornography offenses following his June 11 arrest. Charlie S. Miller, 39, allegedly filmed himself abusing a child and has been booked into Calcasieu Correctional Center facing charges of sexual battery and related crimes.
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Crime & Public SafetyA shooting occurred in the 200 block of W. Butcher Switch Road in Lafayette early on May 25 at approximately 1:49 a.m. Crime Stoppers are actively seeking suspects in connection with the incident. Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to contact authorities.
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Crime & Public SafetyTwo people have been arrested in connection with Medicaid fraud after allegedly submitting false documentation to the state program, according to officials. The arrests are part of ongoing efforts to combat fraudulent claims against Louisiana's Medicaid system.
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Crime & Public SafetyLouisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced the results of a major fraud enforcement operation that led to the arrest of 21 people. The operation targets crimes that impact taxpayers across the state. This crackdown represents the state's ongoing effort to combat fraud and protect Louisiana residents.
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Crime & Public SafetyA shooting occurred near 10th Street and Jacobs Avenue in Crowley on June 21 at approximately 6:30 p.m., leaving two people injured by gunfire. Police are actively investigating the incident and seeking the suspects responsible. The shooting marks another violent crime in the Acadiana area.
Read moreCrime & Public SafetyThe Gueydan Duck Festival is alerting vendors about fraudulent emails circulating that appear to be related to the event. The scam targets individuals involved with the festival, attempting to deceive them through deceptive communications. Residents and vendors are advised to be cautious and verify any official festival communications through legitimate channels.
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Crime & Public SafetyA 17-year-old wanted in connection with an armed robbery and kidnapping in Lake Charles surrendered to law enforcement following a standoff in Lafayette Parish. Andrew Leblanc is facing additional drug and firearm charges on top of his existing felony warrants for armed robbery and second-degree charges.
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Crime & Public SafetyArrests have been made following a viral social media video showing an alleged beating of an 11-year-old girl in Lafayette. Dakota Rodriguez, 19, was arrested and charged with Simple Battery and Contributing to the Delinquency of Juveniles, while two juveniles were also arrested in connection with the incident. The case drew significant attention after being shared widely on social media platforms.
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Crime & Public SafetyA shooting on N. St. Antoine Street in Lafayette left two victims wounded on Wednesday. Both victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment. The incident remains under investigation by authorities.
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Crime & Public SafetyA former LSU football player has been arrested in connection with a deadly crash in Baton Rouge that resulted in two fatalities. The arrest follows police investigation into the incident. The case involves a high-profile athlete and highlights serious traffic safety concerns in the region.
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