WBRZ - Baton Rouge

Tagged News

• Lawyers: Ohio kidnap suspect will plead not guilty

  May 15, 2013 9:50 AM

  CLEVELAND - The attorneys for a Cleveland man accused of keeping three women in captivity for about a decade say he will plead not guilty. Attorneys Craig Weintraub and Jay Schlachet say that suspect Ariel Castro has been portrayed as a "monster" in the media, and after meeting with him... more »

• Parents accused of kidnapping boys to stay in jail

  April 12, 2013 10:19 AM

  TAMPA, Fla. - The couple accused of kidnapping their boys and sailing with them to Cuba to elude authorities are staying in jail. On Friday, Joshua and Sharyn Hakken's public defender didn't contest a request by prosecutors in Tampa that they remain in jail without bond. The Hakkens didn't appear... more »

• No bond for US couple accused of kidnapping kids

  April 11, 2013 9:28 AM

  TAMPA, Fla. - The Florida parents charged with kidnapping their boys after losing custody and fleeing to Cuba by sailboat have been ordered to remain in jail without bond. Joshua and Sharyn Hakken made their first appearance before a Tampa judge Thursday morning. They'll face a judge during a pretrial... more »

• Inmates to plead guilty in alleged crime spree

  February 11, 2013 7:02 AM

  JACKSON, Miss. - Darian "Drake" Pierce and Ricky Wedgeworth are expected to enter guilty pleas today in a Jackson, Miss., courtroom. Authorities say the men escaped from a Louisiana police compound in March 2011, and allegedly kidnapped and killed a man during a crime spree spanning four states. David... more »

• Miss. woman arrested in La. kidnapping

  January 22, 2013 7:01 AM

  NEW IBERIA - A 47-year-old Mississippi woman faces a kidnapping charge after she allegedly refused to return a 4-year-old girl to her mother, who had been arrested in Louisiana. Jessica Hebert of Picayune, Miss., is being held on one count of simple kidnapping in Pearl River County. Iberia Parish... more »

• Ore. woman: Boyfriend choked her with dreadlocks

  January 8, 2013 12:46 PM

  PORTLAND, Ore. - Police in Oregon say a woman told officers that her boyfriend choked her with his dreadlocks. Portland police Sgt. Pete Simpson says the unidentified woman was taken to a hospital Monday for treatment of numerous non-life-threatening injuries. The police spokesman says 32-year-old Caleb Grotberg was arrested for... more »

• Weatherton given life sentence for kidnapping, rape

  December 18, 2012 5:32 PM

  GONZALES - An Ascension Parish judge handed down a life sentence today for a man convicted of kidnapping and rape who was featured on "America's Most Wanted". Bobby Weatherton acted as his own attorney in the sentencing phase of the trial. He was convicted in March of beating and... more »

• Man accused of kidnapping wife

  December 10, 2012 11:05 AM

  WEST MONROE- A 39-year-old West Monroe man has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping his wife and forcing her to buy crack cocaine. The News-Star reports Marvin Christopher Jenkins was booked with battery-domestic violence abuse, simple kidnapping, possession of cocaine and obstruction of justice. The arrest report states that Jenkins hit... more »

• Former Delcambre officer found guilty of kidnapping

  December 4, 2012 10:24 AM

  ABBEVILLE - Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell says a Vermilion Parish jury has found a former Delcambre police officer guilty of sexual battery and second-degree kidnapping. Caldwell said in a news release Tuesday that Friday's conviction of 53-year-old Ernest Billiot stemmed from a 2008 incident in which Billiot abused his... more »

• Tulsa man found with part of woman's ear in pocket

  October 29, 2012 12:40 PM

  TULSA, Okla. - Police arresting a Tulsa man accused in the brutal beating of a woman found piece of an ear in his pocket. The injured woman flagged down an officer early Friday outside an apartment complex. She told police that 24-year-old Joseph Sidney Hall Jr. had beaten and held... more »

• Police release sketch of rape, kidnapping suspect

  October 3, 2012 4:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Police released an artist's sketch of the man suspected in a rape and kidnapping reported in Baton Rouge. Lt. Don Kelly with BRPD said the victim in the case described the man as awhite male, 30 to 35 years of age, average height and weight, with... more »

• Police investigating reported kidnapping, rape

  October 2, 2012 1:07 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Police in Baton Rouge said they're investigating a reported kidnapping and rape south of the LSU campus. Lt. Don Kelly said the alleged victim told police that on Monday afternoon she was approached by a man in the parking lot of an apartment complex near Brightside... more »

• Tolbert Morris found guilty of 1990 rape, murder Play Video

  September 13, 2012 5:55 PM

  GONZALES- Jurors took about an hour to find a Carville man guilty of kidnapping, rape and murder for the 1990 killing of an Ascension Parish woman. Tolbert Morris, 56, was accused of abducting 18-year-old Tammy Bowers and raping her before killing her. The jury returned guilty verdicts for... more »

• Jury finds Morris guilty of 1990 rape, murder

  September 13, 2012 2:39 PM

  GONZALES - Jurors found a Carville man guilty of kidnapping, rape and murder for the 1990 killing of an Ascension Parish woman. Tolbert Morris, 56, was accused of abducting 18-year-old Tammy Bowers and raping her before killing her. The jury returned guilty verdicts for the charges of second-degree... more »

• Woman arraigned, jailed in Pa. newborn abduction

  August 24, 2012 1:22 PM

  PITTSBURGH - A 19-year-old woman has been jailed on $250,000 bond and ordered to have a mental health evaluation after she was arraigned on charges of kidnapping a 3-day-old infant from a Pittsburgh hospital by pretending to be a nurse. Breona Moore, of McKeesport, was arraigned Friday by video from... more »

• Woman denies NJ man locked her in room for years

  August 15, 2012 12:46 PM

  PATERSON, N.J. - A New Jersey woman who police say was held captive for years says it's all a lie. Nancy Rodriguez Duran says her boyfriend is "a good man" who has never abused her. Speaking to reporters before 42-year-old Michael Mendez appeared in court Tuesday, Duran says she asked... more »

• Police: Lavergne taken out of jail before body found Play Video

  August 8, 2012 12:32 PM

  LAFAYETTE - Police confirmed to News 2 that the man accused of kidnapping and killing Lafayette college student Mickey Shunick was taken out of jail shortly before police found a body believed to be Shunick's. Cpl. Paul Mouton said yesterday that a "credible witness" gave them information which led... more »

• WEB EXTRA: Press release from Lafayette Police, issued late Tuesday

  August 7, 2012 10:27 PM

  LAFAYETTE PD PRESS RELEASE: Lafayette, LA - On the morning of August 7, 2012, investigators involved in the Mickey Shunick case received credible information as to the location of Mickey Shunick's body. Investigators were directed to a section of property off of Louisiana Highway 10, near its intersection with... more »

• Police: man who attacked, raped woman arrested

  July 28, 2012 12:09 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Michael Rushing, 47, was arrested early Saturday morning for an attack that put women in the Baton Rouge area on edge. Rushing is charged with aggravated rape and 2nd degree kidnapping. He's accused of taking a woman at gunpoint Friday from a medical complex parking lot... more »

• Puppeteer charged with child porn and kidnapping

  July 27, 2012 12:26 PM

  PINELLAS CO. - An alleged threat to children who entertained kids as a puppeteer is now behind bars in western Florida. Tampa-area officers arrested 57-year-old Ronald William Brown last week. Court documents allege he had graphic discussions online about abusing, kidnapping, killing, and eating children. The complaint... more »

• Police chase stolen car near LSU Play Video

  July 24, 2012 6:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A 22-year-old man led Baton Rouge Police on a brief high speed chase near Tigerland before crashing a stolen car into a ditch, according to investigators. It happened around 4:30 a.m. on East Boyd Drive near Nicholson. Police arrested 22-year-old Johnathan Batteau, 3422 Conrad Street, and... more »

• Mickey Shunick's father: "it certainly doesn't look very good" Play Video

  July 18, 2012 10:17 PM

  LAFAYETTE- The father of missing college student Mickey Shunick questions if his daughter will be found alive after the man accused of killing her was also indicted for another murder where a woman was killed. Brandon Lavergne was indicted Wednesday by a grand jury for Shunick's murder and kidnapping... more »

• Grand jury to hear Lavergne case Wednesday

  July 17, 2012 12:59 PM

  LAFAYETTE - A grand jury will hear evidence tomorrow in the case against Brandon Scott Lavergne. Lavergne is accused of kidnapping and murdering U.L. Lafayette student Mickey Shunick, who disappeared May 19 after leaving a friend's home on her bike. A tip led Lafayette police to arrest Lavergne... more »

• Report: Lavergne treated for stab wounds after Shunick vanished

  July 12, 2012 10:03 PM

  NEW ORLEANS- The man accused of kidnapping and murdering Lafayette college student Mickey Shunick was in a hospital, receiving treatments for stab wounds hours after the girl vanished in May. KATC TV reports Brandon Lavergne told investigators he was attacked and cut, but couldn't provide sound details about where... more »

• Search continues for kidnap-slaying suspect

  May 9, 2012 8:35 AM

  GUNTOWN, Miss.- Authorities in Mississippi and Tennessee continue the search for a man accused of abducting a mother and her three daughters and killing two of them. Meanwhile, the wife and mother of 35-year-old suspect Adam Mayes have been charged with helping to carry out the kidnapping. The bodies of... more »

• Mom dies trying to save infant, nurse charged

  April 18, 2012 12:36 PM

  SPRING, Texas - Witnesses say a young mother tried to save her newborn from abductors before she died of gunshot wounds. A Texas prosecutor tells ABC that Verna McClain is charged with capital murder in the shooting of Kala Marie Golden and abduction of Golden's 3-day old son, Keegan, yesterday... more »

• Police: Woman accused of murder wanted to adopt

  April 18, 2012 11:12 AM

  SPRING, TX - Police in Texas say a 30-year-old woman admitted she shot a young mother and abducted her newborn son in a town near Houston. Verna McClain is charged with capital murder in the killing of Kala Marie Golden. Witnesses saw the shooter repeatedly shoot Golden and... more »

• Man charged with rape, kidnapping after police shootout

  April 12, 2012 6:17 PM

  HAMMOND - A man accused of raping kidnapping two women and raping on of them near Hammond was shot and wounded by Hammond Police early this morning, according to sources. Police said Durelle Jones, 24, was taken to a hospital after exchanging gunfire with two Hammond Police Officers. It... more »

• NYC couple accused of kidnapping disabled woman

  March 28, 2012 12:30 PM

  NEW YORK - A New York City couple is accused of kidnapping a partially paralyzed woman and controlling her finances for more than a year. Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said Tuesday that the 58-year-old victim was found in a locked room that could only be opened from the outside.... more »

• Mom to be reunited with son who vanished in '04

  March 15, 2012 12:27 PM

  FORT WORTH, Texas - A Texas mother whose infant son vanished eight years ago will soon be reunited with him, after authorities found the boy living with his godmother and her family in another part of the state. Krystle Rochelle Tanner was arrested Monday on a kidnapping charge in the... more »

• Declared dead suspect wants indictment thrown out

  February 20, 2012 12:40 PM

  JACKSON, Miss. - Attorneys for a man who was declared dead and later charged in the kidnapping of a Las Vegas girl are asking a judge to dismiss one of the indictments against him. Thomas Steven Sanders was indicted in 2010 for kidnapping resulting in the death of Lexis Roberts,... more »

• Man arrested for Slidell kidnappings/robberies

  January 11, 2012 4:41 PM

  SLIDELL - Police believe they have in custody Monday the man behind several kidnappings and robberies in Slidell. Authorities arrested J'vasezo Twillie, 17, of 37161 West Hillcrest, Slidell and charged him with five counts of aggravated kidnapping and five counts of aggravated robbery. Also, an arrest warrant was... more »

• Man wanted in Slidell kidnappings

  December 29, 2011 9:02 AM

  SLIDELL - Police are searching for a man who they believe is responsible for three kidnappings in Slidell. On Monday, a young woman was carjacked at gunpoint in the Big Lots parking area on Gause Blvd. Police say the suspect eventually released her, but not before having her... more »

• 2 teens arrested in kidnapping of boy

  December 11, 2011 11:10 AM

  SHREVEPORT - Two teenage girls were arrested following a kidnapping that involved a 5-year-old. Shreveport police responded after learning the toddler had been checked out without authorization from Werner Park Elementary School. The 5-year-old's estranged sister, along with her friend were responsible for taking the child out of... more »

• Autopsy: NYC boy was given drugs, then smothered

  July 20, 2011 12:46 PM

  NEW YORK - The medical examiner says an 8-year-old New York City boy who was abducted off a Brooklyn street, killed and dismembered last week was given a combination of drugs before he was smothered. Police say Leiby Kletzky got lost leaving day camp and asked the suspect for... more »

• Kidnapping over Divorce

  July 18, 2011 7:11 PM

  A Rabbi and his wife in New Jersey got out of jail on half a million dollars bond after they were charged with kidnapping a man from Israel, beating him and threatening to bury him alive if he didn't give his wife a religious divorce. David and Judy Wax of... more »

• Woman Found in Trunk after 911 Call

  July 7, 2011 7:38 PM

  A woman who says she was kidnapped in Conway, South Carolina was found in the trunk of her car by police after she called 911. Investigators say she called and claims she was pulled out of her car at knife-point while stopped at a traffic light in Conway which is... more »

• Attempt to take children has daycares on alert

  February 23, 2011 6:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Baton Rouge Police need your help looking for a man who went into a church preschool and tried to take a child. Police describe him as 5'9 to 5'11, around 180 lbs, with brown hair. He was seen leaving the scene in a new model red... more »

• Convcition in Closet Captive Case

  January 28, 2011 7:51 PM

  A man who held a woman captive for 10 days in a closet and repeatedly raped her pleaded guilty to charges in Hamilton, Ohio. William Manis admits to kidnapping and rape after he had tried to say he was insane and incompetent to stand trial. The 22 year-old victim told... more »

• FBI: Woman confessed to snatching NY baby in 1987

  January 24, 2011 1:03 PM

  NEW YORK - Authorities say a North Carolina woman who raised a child snatched from a New York hospital more than two decades ago has confessed to taking the baby in 1987 after she had trouble having her own children. An FBI agent said in court papers charging Ann... more »

• Federal jury convicts Smart kidnapper, rejects insanity

  December 10, 2010 12:34 PM

  SALT LAKE CITY - A federal jury in Salt Lake City has convicted a former street preacher of kidnapping Elizabeth Smart more than eight years ago. The verdict reached Friday finally brought justice for Smart and her family after the ordeal that began when Brian David Mitchell took her... more »

• La. bailbondsmen arrested for extrotion, theft and kidnapping

  December 6, 2010 12:49 PM

  A pair of bail bondsmen were arrested in St. Mary parish by state troopers. 38-year-old Chad Bonvillian of Houma, and 46-year-old Bobby Jackson of New Iberia are charged with extortion, felony theft and second degree kidnapping. Investigators say Bonvillian and Jackson posted bond for someone who failed to... more »

• Louisiana man's crime spree ends in Oklahoma

  November 21, 2010 9:26 AM

  WEST MONROE- West Monroe police say they believe that family problems sparked a crime spree that ended with the gunman man killing himself in Oklahoma. Detective Sgt. Tim Zeigler tells The News-Star that until Friday, 26-year-old Stephen "Lane" Salsbury's only criminal record was three seat belt violations. He didn't... more »

• 'Legally dead' man pleads not guilty to kidnapping

  November 19, 2010 1:46 PM

  ALEXANDRIA - A Mississippi man who was declared legally dead in 1994 pleaded not guilty Friday to a federal kidnapping charge in the abduction of a 12-year-old girl who was found dead in remote Louisiana woods. Thomas Steven Sanders, suspected of shooting Lexis Roberts of Las Vegas before dumping her... more »

• Accused kidnapper to be charged with murder

  November 17, 2010 11:39 AM

  ALEXANDRIA - A man arrested over the weekend in Mississippi on federal kidnapping charges will face charges in Louisiana for murder. Thomas Sanders is accused of kidnapping Lexis Roberts, 12, killing her and dumping her body in woods in Catahoula Parish. Roberts and her mother are from Las Vegas and... more »

• Elizabeth Smart tells jurors of 2002 abduction

  November 8, 2010 12:59 PM

  SALT LAKE CITY - Elizabeth Smart told jurors Monday how she was awakened with a cold knife on her throat and initially thought her 2002 abduction was a nightmare. She took the stand on the first day of testimony in the Salt Lake City federal trial of Brian David... more »

• Hammond PD: kidnapper wanted for other robberies

  October 29, 2010 4:37 PM

  HAMMOND, La. - Police said a man who kidnapped someone and forced them to withdraw money from an ATM in Hammond recently could be connected to other robberies. Detective Kohn Milton said Thursday night the man held a screwdriver to the victim’s throat and threatened to kill him if he... more »

• Nevada Supreme Court denies O.J. Simpson appeal

  October 22, 2010 12:13 PM

  The Nevada Supreme Court has refused to overturn O.J. Simpson's armed robbery and kidnapping convictions stemming from a Las Vegas hotel room heist. But the court on Friday ordered his co-defendant's conviction in the case reversed. The 63-year-old Simpson is serving nine to 33 years at a state... more »

• Demond Cook makes court appearance after escape

  October 21, 2010 9:53 AM

  The man who escaped from the district courthouse in Baton Rouge and was re-captured Tuesday was back in court this morning. There was extra security as Demond Cook was taken to the courtroom, and a judge rescheduled his sentencing hearing for a kidnapping and armed robbery conviction to November... more »

• Authorities say Cook overpowered guards, escaped restraints

  October 19, 2010 10:35 AM

  Authorities say a man about to be sentenced to life in prison was able to overpower a deputy and get out his restraints before escaping into downtown Baton Rouge. Demond Cook was being taken to court in Baton Rouge by Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s deputies when he made his escape this... more »

• Boyce woman faces kidnapping charges

  October 14, 2010 7:26 AM

  Rapides Parish sheriff's officials have arrested a 27-year-old Boyce woman after she allegedly kidnapped a 1-year-old child. Natasha Starks faces one count of simple kidnapping and simple battery. Deputies say Starks allegedly forced a vehicle to stop on La. Highway 121 and then took a child from the backseat of... more »

• Police search for Honduran man after kidnapping in Zachary

  September 24, 2010 5:47 PM

  Authorities are searching for a man who kidnapped a woman in Zachary after ramming his vehicle into hers. Zachary Police said the woman was driving down Fenwood around 11 a.m. when the suspect, 23-year-old Pedro A. Rodriguez, ran into her car and then jumped into it, abducting her. The victim... more »

• BR man accused of kidnapping woman, two kids

  August 26, 2010 4:41 PM

  Authorities in Baton Rouge have found and arrested a man accused of kidnapping his ex-girlfriend and trying to get her to drop charges she had filed against him. 30-year-old Chaddrick Byron Piper was arrested late Wednesday night after an extensive search that started around 4 p.m. when deputies at the... more »

• Man who Kidnapped Boy gets 30 Years

  August 24, 2010 7:38 PM

  A man who kidnapped a boy in Tennessee and brought him to Slidell was sentenced to 30 years in prison by a federal judge. Jerry Wayne Dunn pleaded guilty to kidnapping and was sentenced Tuesday in Greenville, Tennessee. He admits he lured a boy from Mountain City with video games... more »

• Baseball player's wife pleads guilty to kidnapping

  July 21, 2010 12:50 PM

  A woman accused of faking a pregnancy and stealing a baby to fool her baseball player husband into thinking he was the father has pled guilty. Amalia Tabata-Pereira, 44, pled guilty in Hillsborough Circuit Court on Wednesday on charges of kidnapping, interference with custody and impersonating a public officer.... more »

• Grandmother surrenders to police in kidnapping case

  June 23, 2010 3:54 PM

  Update : Authorities said a woman arrested for kidnapping her grandson turned herself in to police. The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office said Karen Spellman, Walker, got in touch with police and agreed to meet them in Livingston Parish with 4-year-old Kaydn Trayah. Deputies said Spellman took Trayah from his dad’s... more »

• Woman arrested, child safe in kidnapping case

  June 23, 2010 2:22 PM

  A woman wanted for kidnapping her own grandson is now behind bars in Livingston Parish. Deputies say Karen Spellman of Walker, took Kaydn Trayah from his Dad's home. The child is now safe and is in the custody of his mother, Brandi Downs. Detectives told his father, Chris... more »

• Grandmother accused of kidnapping her grandson

  June 22, 2010 12:43 PM

  Livingston Parish Sheriff's Deputies are looking for a woman they believed kidnapped her own grandson Tuesday morning. Investigators say 47 year old Karen Spellman forced her way into the home of the child's father and took four year old Kaydn Nykolas Trayah after the father left for work. ... more »

• Jury convicts man in killings of New Orleans couple

  May 29, 2010 1:03 PM

  A jury has convicted a man of second-degree murder in the deaths of a New Orleans couple kidnapped for ransom and then killed in an abandoned house. Gregory Vincent Jr. was found guilty Friday even though nothing indicates that he fired the revolver used to kill Southern University at New... more »

• Man arrested for burglary and kidnapping in Tangipahoa Parish

  April 16, 2010 10:52 AM

  A man in Tangipahoa Parish is accused of burglary and kidnapping, among other charges. According to deputies, Ivan Pinestraw, 37, forced his way into a home where he attempted to choke and hit a woman. Pinestraw then allegedly told the woman that if she did not follow him back to... more »

• Attempted kidnapping suspect wanted in Ascension Parish

  April 1, 2010 10:21 AM

  Detectives in Ascension Parish are on the lookout for a suspect wanted for attempted kidnapping. Authorities say a female was abducted at the corner of Highway 61 and Highway 621 in Gonzales, after getting into an argument with her mother. They say a man believed to be in... more »

• Man free on bond in girlfriend's death

  March 29, 2010 11:28 AM

  Larry John Snyder posted a $250,000 bond in Pointe Coupee Parish and a $100,000 bond in St. Landry Parish and is now free. He's accused in the death of his girlfriend, Davina Chapman. Authorities say he kidnapped her from a bar in Krotz Springs. Her body was found under... more »

• Man arrested, charged with kidnapping his ex-wife

  March 1, 2010 6:50 AM

  Authorities say a 28-year-old St. Charles Parish man has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping his ex-wife at gunpoint as she tried to retrieve her belongings from his home. According to investigators, when the ex-wife arrived at the home, Eric Gros forced her inside the residence. Soon after, deputies say Gros... more »

• Geismar man indicted in robbery, kidnapping

  February 2, 2010 6:50 AM

  An Ascension Parish grand jury has indicted a Geismar man in the kidnapping and armed robbery of three fast-food restaurant employees making a bank deposit on Thanksgiving Day 2008. Prosecutors say 21-year-old Marquis Favre is charged with armed robbery and three counts of aggravated kidnapping. If convicted, Favre faces up... more »

• Toddler inside repossessed car

  January 14, 2010 8:12 PM

  An auto dealer in California who repossessed a car could face a kidnapping charge because he took the car with a two-year old sleeping in the back seat. The boy's mother was behind on her payments and police say Alberto Luna jumped into the car and drove off as the... more »

• Kidnapped baby found safe

  December 11, 2009 4:54 PM

  A three year old boy, kidnapped in Hammond on Wednesday, was found safe today. The Denham Springs Marshal arrested 26 year old Jimmy Stogner after traffic stop on Rushing Road. Investigators say Stogner was going from truck stop to truck stop, asking for money to feed the toddler... more »

• Accused kidnapper caught

  October 9, 2009 9:43 PM

  Brandon Davis was caught Friday night after a day on the run. He's accused of kidnapping his ex-girlfriend in the morning. Assumption Parish deputies say Davis called her on the phone while standing in her yard and threatened to set the house on fire if she didn't come out.... more »

• Abduction in Livingston ruled a hoax

  October 7, 2009 10:03 AM

  Livingston Police said the possible abduction of 15-year old Kristin Patrone last night was a hoax. She was found just after ten last night. Officers said a close relative told Patrone to send text messages to her family telling them she was kidnapped. Investigators said she wanted to... more »

• New Twist in Kidnapped Baby Case

  October 5, 2009 9:11 PM

  Authorities in Tennessee say a newborn who was rescued after its mother was attacked with a knife and the baby ripped from her arms is now in state foster care. There are now allegations that a family member tried to sell the child. A woman from Alabama was arrested last... more »