Police briefs for Feb. 7, 2012

Three arrested in Gardere-area thefts

East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives Monday arrested three people, including a 15-year-old boy, in more than several burglaries in the Gardere area between October and January.

Detectives arrested Andrew Hairston, 17, and Kevin Robertson, 20, for allegedly stealing electronics, guns and jewelry, including an LSU national championship ring, from homes in the Westhaven, Springlake and Old Hermitage subdivisions, Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Casey Rayborn Hicks said.

The 15-year-old, whose identity was not released, was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Juvenile Center with 30 counts of simple burglary, 23 counts of theft, 12 counts of attempted theft, six counts of aggravated burglary, six counts of theft of a firearm and one count of attempted simple burglary, Hicks said.

Robertson, 2068 Fountain Ave., was booked into Parish Prison with 19 counts of simple burglary, 14 counts of felony theft of a firearm, seven counts of attempted theft, five counts of aggravated burglary and five counts of theft of a firearm, Hicks said.

Hairston, 13294 Azalea Park, was booked with four counts of burglary of an inhabited dwelling and three counts of theft, Hicks said.

Detectives are returning more than $100,000 in stolen items, Hicks said.

Shooting victim expected to recover

A Baton Rouge man is expected to make a full recovery after being shot in the chest Saturday inside a seafood store on Highland Road, city police said Monday.

Due to a miscommunication between police and hospital staff, police incorrectly reported Sunday that Marcus Morris, 265 Ellwood Drive, died in the shooting at AM Mart Seafood, 2400 Highland Road, police spokesman Cpl. L’Jean McKneely said.

Trouble started at 8 p.m. Saturday when Morris entered the store and began arguing with a 27-year-old man, said McKneely, who did not identify the man.

Morris, 23, pulled a handgun on the man, who struggled with Morris over the weapon, McKneely said. The man was shot in the arm but got the gun from Morris and shot him in the chest, McKneely said.

Police found Morris on East Johnson Street, police Capt. Joan Cage said Saturday in a news release.

Both men were taken to a hospital, Cage said.

Pedestrian killed trying to cross road

A pedestrian died Friday after he was hit by a vehicle while trying to run across Greenwell Springs Road, Baton Rouge police said Monday.

J.C. Veasly Jr., 56, 3700 E. Brookstown Road, ran into a Dodge Ram pickup truck while trying to cross the road in the 7300 block of Greenwell Springs at 9:14 p.m. Friday, police spokesman Cpl. L’Jean McKneely said.

The driver of the truck was not arrested, however the crash is still under investigation, McKneely said. The driver was not identified

Authorities arrest
two on DWI counts

Authorities arrested at least two people suspected of driving while intoxicated in East Baton Rouge Parish and booked them into Parish Prison between 2:30 p.m. Sunday and 2:30 p.m. Monday, booking records show.

Those booked and the counts against them:

• Rayette Bertus, 40, 12727 Coursey Blvd., first-offense DWI.
• Nettie Leflore, 48, 17323 W. Autumnwood Court, Prairieville, second-offense DWI, expired motor vehicle inspection, simple obstruction of public highway, motor vehicle insurance required or expired and driving left of center.

Compiled from staff reports. To talk to a crime reporter at The Advocate, call [phone].