Aggravated flight from an officer
Monday, November 6, 2017, at approximately 2300 hours, a Louisiana Police officer observed a tan Lincoln Town car traveling southbound on US 165. The vehicle drove onto the shoulder of the road for approximately 25 yards and made a right turn onto LA 15. The officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle for improper lane usage on Winnsboro Rd in the MAC’s Grocery parking lot. The officer made contact with the driver, identified as Morris Oliver Clark. While speaking with Clark, the officer smelled an odor associated with an alcoholic beverage emitting from his breathe. The officer also observed him to be very nervous. Clark also advised the officer that he had a warrant for his arrest.
Another officer arrived at the location and asked Clark to step out of the vehicle, at which point he stated he was not stepping out of the vehicle. Clark sat back in his seat and grabbed the steering wheel and gear shift. The second officer attempted to extract Clark out of the vehicle, at which point Clark put the vehicle in drive and accelerated rapidly. Both officers pursued the vehicle. Clark accelerated to speeds of 90 mph in a posted 35 mph zone. Clark traveled in the wrong lane of travel and ran multiple vehicles off the road. Clark failed to yield and disregarded multiple stop signs. Clark came to final rest at 113 Texas Ave. Clark then fled on foot in a westward direction with a black bag in his right hand, while on foot. Clark fell to the ground and dropped the black bag. Clark was then placed under arrest without incident. Clark was handcuffed, searched, and advised of his Miranda Rights.
The first officer escorted Clark back to his police vehicle where he was secured. A search of the contents of the bag revealed one Taurus .45 caliber pistol and approximately 200 grams of suspected marijuana. A search of the vehicle revealed a box of clear plastic bags and one set of scales. Clark was then transported to OCC where he was searched again by OCC staff. A secondary search by a deputy revealed one suspected marijuana cigarette in Clark’s right pocket. Clark was released to the OCC staff and booked on the charges.
Busted tail light leads to more charges
On Wednesday, November 8, 2017, at approximately 0108 hours, a West Monroe Police officer observed a vehicle with a busted left tail light traveling north on Thomas Road at Glenwood Drive. The officer activated his emergency lights initiating a traffic stop on it at Wal-Mart. The vehicle exited the parking lot and ran a red light as it made a left turn from Glenwood Drive onto Thomas Road. The officer activated the siren and followed the vehicle as it ran several more red lights, traveled at speeds over 100 mph, and traveled in the opposite lane of travel.
The vehicle traveled to the dead end of North Violet Street where the driver exited the vehicle and ran from the officer on foot. The officer ran after the driver, and took him into custody a short distance away. The officer identified the driver by his LA ID as Matthew Dugas. Dugas advised the officer that he ran because he is on parole. Dugas’s driver’s license is suspended, he had no insurance on his vehicle, and the tags on his vehicle were switched. During a search of his vehicle, the officer located a clear plastic baggie containing approximately one gram of powder cocaine. Dugas was later booked at OCC for the charges.
Man threatens to burn father and house down
On Wednesday, November 8, 2017, a Monroe Police officer was dispatched to a residence in reference to a disturbance. Upon arrival the officer made contact with Ernest Harper, Sr. He stated that just prior to 16:34 hours, his son Ernest Harper, Jr. was at his residence and he asked him to leave. Harper Sr. advised that Harper Jr. began cursing at him. He advised that Harper Jr. then grabbed a blanket and stuck it to the heater catching it on fire. Harper Jr. advised his father that he would “burn his one-legged a** up in the house”. Harper Jr. stated that he told his father he would burn the house down and that he told Harper Sr. that he would burn him up in the house. Prior to the officer’s arrival officers located a crack pipe in Harper Jr.’s pocket. He was arrested and booked at OCC.
Woman beats daughter over a cell phone
On Wednesday, November 8, 2017, Ouachita Parish Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to Ouachita Parish High School in reference to a battery complaint which occurred at 106 York Dr. in Monroe. Upon arrival at the school one deputy obtained the testimony from the 16 year old juvenile victim. The victim stated that the arrestee, Janie Johnson-Smith, who was stated to be the mother of the victim, confronted her about a cell phone and was told to give it back or was going to get beat. The victim stated that an argument ensued about the cell phone and during the course of the argument; Johnson swung a brown leather brown belt with a buckle striking the victim on the left side of the chest near a recent surgical site with the metal end of the belt.
The victim stated that while she was screaming in pain from being struck the step father came in and told her to stop screaming. The victim stated that when she could not stop crying and screaming because of the pain, Johnson continued to strike her multiple times on various parts of her body. The victim stated that the grandmother, who is the arrestee’s mother, came in and attempted to stop Johnson from hitting the victim and was subsequently said to have been struck by the belt as well. The officer observed red marks as stated by the victim and photos were taken and later logged into evidence. The officer contacted the arrestee and grandmother at 106 York Dr. at which time the grandmother gave the officer a similar and consistent testimony as the victim.
The officer advised Johnson of her rights per Miranda which she stated she understood and chose to waive. Johnson stated that she did confront the victim about the missing cell phone and did strike the victim with the belt. Johnson stated that she did not strike the victim hard and did not strike the victim where the victim stated she was struck. Based on testimonial and physical evidence obtained the officer advised Johnson she was under arrest for the charge and placed her into handcuffs and transported to OCC where she was then booked.
Man tells his ex, “I ain’t with this bullsh*t”
On Friday, November 10, 2017, at approximately 0051 hours, a Monroe Police officer was dispatched to a residence, in reference to a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival the officer spoke with the victim who advised that her child’s father and ex-boyfriend, Allen Jones, had her to come over to his residence, to stay with him. The victim advised that when she and Jones arrived at his residence, he began to yell at her. The victim advised that she was sitting on the couch and Allen told her “I ain’t with this bullsh*t”, he then grabbed her by her gray hoodie and began to strike her several times.
The victim advised that she had fallen to the floor and Jones began to kick her in the ribs and drag her through the apartment. The victim advised that as she was trying to leave Jones hit her in the mouth with a baby doll. Two officers went to locate Jones at his residence. The officers located Jones and while trying to detain him, Jones resisted and had to be placed in handcuffs. Jones was handcuffed and was placed in a patrol unit and was transported to OCC for booking. An investigation revealed that Jones does have an active protective order with the victim and that the protective order does state that Jones is not to have any contact with the victim.
Man tells officer he had “A lot” to drink
On Friday, November 10, 2017, a West Monroe Police officer was dispatched to a residence in reference to the caller’s estranged husband, Joe D. Williams, continually driving by the residence, causing her to fear for her safety due to prior violent incidents. Williams was confirmed to have an active felony warrant and an active misdemeanor warrant through OPSO. The officer located Williams’ vehicle on private property in the 2700 block of N. 7th St. The officer pulled his marked police unit in behind Williams, illuminating his driver window with his spotlight and activating his emergency lights. As the officer exited his vehicle, Williams fled the parking lot in his vehicle and proceeded south on N. 7th St. The officer activated his siren and Williams turned west onto Arkansas Road. Williams refused to stop until he turned into the driveway of 2904 N. 12th St. At that point, Williams was placed under arrest without incident. Another officer advised him of his Miranda Rights. When asked, “How much have you drank tonight?” due to the strong odor of alcohol, the officer witnessed Williams state, “A lot”.
The officer transported Williams to WMCC, where he observed Williams to have bloodshot and watery eyes and swaying balance. Williams refused to attempt SFST and refused to provide a breathe sample to the Intoxilyzer 9000 machine. A warrant affidavit was reviewed and signed. The warrant was approved and a blood sample was obtained from Williams. Williams was previously charged with DWI on Jan. 18, 2009 and Feb. 14, 2010. The officer transported him to OCC, where he was booked for DWI 3rd, resisting arrest, and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.
Man says he and victim were “tussling”
On Tuesday, November 7, 2017, according to the official report, Ouachita Parish Sheriff deputies responded to a 911 call in reference to a caller being battered by her husband. Upon arrival deputies made contact with the arrestee and victim. The victim reported being grabbed and thrown to the floor of the residence by the arrestee. The victim also reported that the arrestee choked her but her breathing had not been impeded. The victim stated while being choked by the arrestee, he threatened to kill her and he controls everything. The victim did have injuries to her person consistent with a battery to her back, arms, neck, and head.
Under benefit of Miranda, the arrestee admitted to becoming involved in a verbal altercation with the victim which did turn physical. The arrestee did admit to “tussling” with the victim and stated he could not remember if he choked her or not. The arrestee denied threatening the victim. The arrestee was transported to OCC where he was booked on one count of domestic abuse; battery.
