Police and fire briefs for May 11, 2012

1996 cold case file
reopened; man held

East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff’s detectives arrested a Baton Rouge man Thursday on charges related to a double slaying in 1996 after evidence from the cold case file was resubmitted to the State Police Crime Lab for evaluation, according to an affidavit warrant.

Albert Norwood, 36, 5561 Dianna Drive, was booked into Parish Prison on counts of principal to first degree murder, booking records show.

On May 24, 1996, two men were shot and killed while riding in a van in the 16600 block of Twin Oaks Drive, according to news reports at the time. Kenneth Scott, 21, of 7617 Glenetta Court, was shot at least twice in the back and Gregory Stewart, 19, of 5381 Annette St.,was shot twice in the head, deputies said at the time.

Investigators found Norwood’s bloody fingerprints on the van’s sliding door, but an August 1996 grand jury declined to indict him for first-degree murder.

On Feb. 13, a sheriff’s detective reopened the cold case, resubmitting all evidence to the State Police Crime Lab, the affidavit states. That evidence, coupled with previous statements by Norwood’s attorney, led detectives to allege that Norwood “has direct knowledge of this offense that he refuses to impart,” the affidavit states.

Video IDs suspect
in Subway holdup

Surveillance video from a nearby apartment complex led police to a man accused of robbing a Subway at gunpoint, according to an affidavit warrant.

About 10:15 a.m. on April 13, Corey Owens, 23, walked into the Subway at 11926 Florida Blvd., brandished a handgun and demanded money from the cashier, the affidavit says.

Detectives viewed a surveillance video from Summer Groves Apartments that captured Owens fleeing the scene in a reddish-orange Chevrolet Cobalt, the affidavit states.

Detectives tracked the license plate to Owens’ apartment. The cashier identified Owens from a six-person photographic lineup, the affidavit says.

On Wednesday, Owens, 317 East Drive, was booked into Parish Prison on counts of armed robbery, booking records show.

Woman arrested
after boyfriend shot

Police arrested a 47-year-old woman Wednesday who allegedly shot her boyfriend in the calf after accusing him of cheating on her, according to an affidavit warrant.

Police were sent to Baton Rouge General Medical Center to check on a gunshot victim about 8:35 p.m. April 28. The victim told officers that he had been shot by his girlfriend, who had physically abused him before, the affidavit states.

Charlotte Beauchamp, 3825 Mission Drive Road, was booked into Parish Prison on counts of illegal use of a weapon and attempted second degree murder, booking records show.

BR man arrested
on child porn counts

A 60-year-old Baton Rouge man was arrested early Thursday and accused of possessing child pornography, said Amanda Larkins, a spokeswoman with the state Attorney General’s Office.

David Burke, who was arrested at 428 Stoney Creek Ave., was booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on 100 counts of child pornography, Larkins said.

Agencies involved in his arrest include the Attorney General’s Office’s High Tech Crime Unit, the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, State Police and Homeland Security.

School fire probed
as suspected arson

Fire investigators are looking into an arson that occurred Thursday afternoon at the Mentorship Academy at 1000 Lafayette St., Fire Department spokesman Robert Combs said.

Firefighters were called to the school just before 3:30 p.m. to find a small fire in the third-floor boys restroom, Combs said. The fire was contained to the stall.

Administrators were alerted to the fire by a student who smelled smoke, grabbed a fire extinguisher and began putting out the flames, Combs said. When firefighters arrived, all of the students and faculty had been evacuated.

Brian Dixon, the school’s executive director, said fire caused minor damage and that school will be in session on Friday.

1 booked with DWI
in EBR Parish Prison

Authorities arrested at least one person suspected of driving while intoxicated in East Baton Rouge Parish and booked her into Parish Prison between 2:30 p.m. Wednesday and 2:30 p.m. Thursday, booking records show.

Tammie Dufrene, 51, 17517 W. Lakeway, was booked with first-offense DWI, careless operation and text messaging prohibited.

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