New Orleans area police briefs for March 5, 2013
Details emerge
in buried body case
New Orleans — More details have emerged in the slaying of a New Orleans man whose decomposed body was found in St. Bernard Parish late last month.
Magistrate Court records show that police believe Jeffrey Wayne Bonck, 53, was killed by Michael Vicknair, 35, because he made sexual advances toward another man’s niece. That man, Elvis Zulli, was Bonck’s best friend and one of his roommates, according to court records.
In August, Zulli confronted Bonck about the incident, but decided not to fight him because Bonck was intoxicated. He told police that Vicknair later went into a room with Bonck and came out with a bloody shirt.
A few days later, Zulli said, he picked up Bonck’s truck from Vicknair and found the victim’s body in the truck bed. He told police that Vicknair threatened him and forced him to help bury Bonck’s body on property owned by Vicknair’s sister off Florissant Highway in St. Bernard Parish.
Police initially learned about Bonck’s disappearance because his brother went to Zulli’s home and found all of the victim’s belongings packed up, according to court records. Zulli later disclosed the location of the body.
Police ID man found burned in 9th Ward
New Orleans — Police have identified a man whose body was found badly burned inside a home in the Lower 9th Ward last month and are looking for a woman who may have information about his death.
The body of Glynn Coston, 54, was discovered after New Orleans firefighters finished fighting a blaze at a home in the 1600 block of Deslonde Street on Feb. 4. Authorities say the home was vacant and haven’t released any information about whether Coston was killed there or just had his body dumped there. However, police say his death has been ruled a homicide.
Police are looking for a woman who goes by the nickname “Cat Eyes” who they believe may have information on Coston’s death. Authorities say she is not a suspect in the case but a “person of interest.” Police described the woman as being about 40 years old, about 5 feet, 6 inches to 5 feet, 8 inches with red hair.
Sunday homicide victim identified
New Orleans — A man killed while making repairs to a vehicle in his front yard on Sunday was identified Monday by the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office.
Rodney Lavigne, 51, died after being shot in the driveway of a home at 4735 Werner Drive, said John Gagliano, the chief investigator for the Coroner’s Office. Lavigne was shot multiple times shortly before 4 p.m., police said.
No motive or suspects have been identified in the case. A man at the home where Lavigne was killed declined to discuss the shooting on Monday.
Trio with stun gun rob, carjack man
New Orleans — Police are searching for three men who robbed and carjacked a man in eastern New Orleans and then shocked him with a stun gun.
The incident was reported around 5:33 p.m. near the intersection of Adventure Avenue and Explorers Avenue in the Michoud subdivision.
Police said the victim reported that the men approached him, pulled out weapons and demanded money. One of the men then produced a stun gun and used it on the victim. The report said the victim fled on foot, and the men eventually stole his vehicle.
Group sought in apartment robberies
Metairie — The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office believes a rash of armed robberies near Metairie apartment complexes in recent weeks may be connected, and they are looking for the public’s help in locating possible suspects.
Col. John Fortunato, a sheriff’s spokesman, said authorities are investigating nine armed robberies that began Feb. 18. The incidents were reported on Edenborn Avenue, Richland Avenue, Independence Street, Houma Boulevard, Yale Street and Harvard Avenue.
Fortunato said investigators have received reports of different groups of robbers, made up of Hispanic males, black males and a white woman targeting people near apartment complexes.
Victims described the white woman as 25 to 35 years old, 5 feet 5 inches tall and 150 to 170 pounds. The black men are 20 to 25 years old, about 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet in height. The Hispanic males range from 5 feet to 6 feet tall with a thin or medium build, Fortunato said.
Authorities have increased patrols near apartment complexes because of the incidents, and the Sheriff’s Office will use its Street Crimes Unit in the area, Fortunato said. Anyone with information on the robbers can contact the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 364-5300 or Crime Stoppers at (504) 822-1111.
Shooting leaves man in critical condition
New Orleans — Police are searching for suspects in a shooting in the 9th Ward that left a man in critical condition Saturday night.
The incident was reported in the 3100 block of Oliver White Avenue around 11:29 p.m. Police say the victim was approached on his right side by an unknown man and was shot multiple times. The man’s wounds were not deemed life-threatening, although he was listed in critical condition.
Feb. 14 shooting linked to old dispute
New Orleans — A 27-year-old New Orleans man was booked with attempted murder this weekend after police said he shot a teenage girl while trying to shoot a man he’d already shot twice.
Frederic Ladd was arrested Saturday in connection with a shooting on Feb. 14 where a teenager was shot in both legs. According to court records, police say Ladd walked up on the girl and three other people while they were sitting on a porch in the 1800 block of Old Prieur Street.
Police say Ladd opened fire on the group in an attempt to hit another man sitting on the porch. That man later told police that Ladd has shot at him three times, wounding him twice in the past few years.
Ladd was booked with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery, two counts of aggravated assault and illegal use of a weapon.
Man arrested in June shooting death
New Orleans — Police arrested a 23-year-old man authorities say is responsible for a 7th Ward shooting in the summer.
Eric Shelbia was booked with second-degree murder and armed robbery in connection with the fatal shooting of Tony Locure, 22, in the 3600 block of Higgins Boulevard in June. Police said they arrested Shelbia without incident with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals fugitive task force.
Woman sought after outing with friends
New Orleans — Police are searching for a local schoolteacher who was last seen sleeping in her car outside of a Lakeview bar.
Police say Terry Lyn Monnette, 26, was seen sleeping in her 2012 Honda Accord outside of Parlay’s Bar in the 8000 block of Harrison Avenue around 5 a.m. Saturday. Monnette went to the bar with friends and then went to sleep in the car, police said.
A strange man was seen in the car with her at some point, police said.
Monnette is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, about 180 pounds, with a light complexion and long hair. She was last seen wearing a pink and yellow sweater with blue jeans.
Man accused of injuring pedestrian
Kenner – A 55-year-old Kenner man is accused of causing injuries to a pedestrian Friday while driving with an open beer can, Kenner Police said.
Henry Hutchinson was booked with driving while intoxicated, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, vehicular negligent injuring, hit-and-run driving, driving without a driver’s license, driving without insurance and having an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle.
Police say Hutchinson swerved onto a sidewalk to avoid a vehicle stopped at the intersection of 27th and Salem streets. He then struck another vehicle that hit a second vehicle, which crashed into a woman who was running for safety.
Compiled by the
New Orleans bureau