News Archives - Page 2 of 11

BODY PULLED FROM UNDER RAINBOW BRIDGE IDENTIFIED

May 18, 2021 (updated July 20, 2022) Published by Ginger Broomes

On May 18th, law enforcement sources have confirmed the body of a man found in the Neches River near Bridge City – is that of 29-year-old Luis Martinez Gonzalez.

Identification was confirmed by the family of Martinez based upon specific clothing and jewelry he was wearing .

An autopsy has been completed but the official report is still pending. HOWEVER, in speaking with an official today, 1813 was told that no foul play is suspected in Martinez’s death, and it appears that he may have drowned.

The Tennessee man had been reported missing April 26, found again in Lumberton during a traffic stop on April 28, and released. The community of Bridge City and surrounding areas organized search efforts, in cooperation with his family, to find him.

Martinez’s vehicle and personal identification had been located just off Bailey’s Camp Road in Bridge City on April 29th, and a body was found May 3rd under the Rainbow Bridge.

Mr. Martinez’s body has been released to his loved ones.

first DAY FLOODING – day 1 of a week of rain to come

May 17, 2021 (updated July 20, 2022) Published by Ginger Broomes

CAR INCINERATED ON MACARTHUR DRIVE

May 17, 2021 (updated July 20, 2022) Published by Ginger Broomes

A local woman’s car burst into flames around 4:45 Sunday afternoon on MacArthur Drive, near Strickland.

Brittiany Wolfe was driving her 2013 Kia Soul as part of her job as a Doordash delivery driver when it suddenly began to smoke and then burst into flames.

Luckily, Wolfe is unharmed, but the vehicle was a total loss.

“I had enough time to get my purse and get out of it before it was completely engulfed,” Wolfe said, estimating that it was only seconds between when the vehicle began to smoke and when the fire erupted. Although she was insured, Ms. Wolfe said there were thousands of dollars of items in the SUV, and there had been no issues previously with the vehicle.

RUNAWAYS, ASSAULTS & THEFTS – OPD REPORT 5/14 – 5/16

May 17, 2021 (updated July 20, 2022) Published by Ginger Broomes

Unfortunately it was another BUSY weekend for Orange Police.

05/14/21

DAMAGED PROPERTY – Vehicle – 4000 block of Sikes
BURGLARY – Forced Entry (Nonresidence) – 400 block 37th St.
DAMAGED PROPERTY – Vehicle – 400 block 16th St.
RUNAWAY JUVENILE – 3000 block Cosmos St.
THEFT – Other – 1300 block Park Ave.
TRAFFIC ACCIDENT – Vehicle Damage – 3100 block 16th St.
MISC. Warrant – Orange County – 2800 block Enner Rd.

05/15/21 –

UNAUTHORIZED USE VEHICLE – (Joy riding) – 800 block 3rd St.
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE – (Amphetamine Possession) – IH10 EB AT MLK
RUNAWAY JUVENILE – 201 8TH ST
NON UCR REPORTABLE – 1900 Block International
ASSAULT – (Class A Family Violence) – 2300 block Pacific St.
MISC. WARRANT- Orange Co. – 200 block W. Dewey PROCESS SERVICE – Warrant – 201 8TH ST
ASSAULT – Aggravated, Nonfamily, Weapon – 2100 block 8th St.

05/16/21

MISC. WARRANT – Other county -18000 block Hwy. 62
PROCESS SERVICE – Warrant – 200 block Border
STOLEN VEHICLE – (Joy riding) 2900 block 16th St.
MISC INCIDENTS – 2900 block 16th St.
SEXUAL OFFENSE – Carpenters Pl.
STOLEN VEHICLE – 2600 block IH 10
PROCESS SERVICE – Warrant – 7000 block Hwy. 12
MISC- 2400 block MacArthur
THEFT – Other – 1000 block Bancroft St.
RUNAWAY JUVENILE – 800 block 3rd St..

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SCOTUS TO WEIGH IN ON ABORTION

May 17, 2021 (updated July 20, 2022) Published by Staff

The Supreme Court of the United States Monday agreed to hear a Mississippi case that could roll back the 1973 Roe v Wade decision.

The central theme of the case revolves around a Mississippi law that prohibits abortion after the 15th week. The law was enacted in 2018 but blocked after a Federal Court challenge. Currently, Mississippi’s only abortion clinic remains open.

The clinic argues that a fetus’s viability outside the womb is impossible at 15 weeks. The Mississippi law allows exceptions in the case of medical emergency or server fetal abnormality.

Under the law doctors caught in violation face mandatory suspension or revocation of their medical license.

The Court is expected to take up the case in the Fall.

DESANTIS TO PARDON FLORIDIANS CHARGED WITH COVID VIOLATIONS

May 15, 2021 (updated July 20, 2022) Published by Staff

In an appearance on Fox News’s “The Ingraham Angle,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) told host Laura Ingraham that the county’s mask mandate was a “total overreach” and that he planned to pardon all residents who faced charges for violating covid health mandates, specifically citing the gym owners.

“When our clemency board meets in the coming weeks, we’ll issue pardons — not only for Mike and Jillian but for any Floridian that may have outstanding infractions for things like masks and social distancing,” DeSantis said.

This after news of a gym owner couple that had been arrested multiple times for violating COVID ordinances in operating their South Florida gym.

DeSantis has hailed Florida as an “oasis of freedom”

Floridians should not be penalized for rejecting the overreach of local authorities through unnecessary mask mandates.

ABBOTT TO SIGN ABORTION BILL

May 14, 2021 (updated July 20, 2022) Published by Staff

The Texas Heartbeat Act according to supporters is the strongest pro-life bill to be signed into law since the Supreme Court made the Roe v Wade decision.

It is expected to be signed by Governor Greg Abbott.

The legislation bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected without specifying a time frame.

It makes an exception in the case of a medical emergency, but not for rape or incest.

Under this bill, anyone that helps in obtaining an abortion (i.e, the clinic, someone that drives the woman to the clinic) can be sued. The person suing does not even need to be a resident of the State of Texas.

State Lawmakers hope this measure makes it able to withstand legal challenges.

BELOVED FISH CAMP OWNER SHOT

May 14, 2021 (updated July 20, 2022) Published by Ginger Broomes

ORANGE | OVERNIGHT SHOOTING | FISH CAMP OWNER HOSPITALIZED

DO YOU HAVE A HOME OR BUSINESS ON LINCOLN DR?
Orange PD NEEDS YOUR HELP!

On May 13, 2021 at 1:12 am, Orange PD officers were dispatched to the 1800 blk of Lincoln Dr. about a gunshot victim. Officers arrived and located Mr. Oscar Joseph LeBlanc in his back yard with several gunshot wounds.

Mr. LeBlanc was conscious and alert, and was was transported to a Beaumont hospital before being transferred to a Houston hospital, where he is still in surgery.

Orange PD is asking for help from the public. Orange PD is asking anyone that lives or has a business around Lincoln Dr. to check their security cameras for anything suspicious between12:00 (midnight) and 1:30 am on May 13, 2021. Please contact the Orange Police Department at 409-883-1026 or 409-883-1095 if anything is located. The public can also contact Crime Stoppers at 409-833-TIPS.

VIDOR COUPLE ARRESTED IN DRUG RAID

May 13, 2021 (updated July 20, 2022) Published by Ginger Broomes

VIDOR DRUG BUST | On Wednesday, May 12, 2021, The Orange County Narcotics Division, with the assistance of the Orange County SWAT Team, the Vidor Police Department and the Jasper County Precinct 6 Constable’s Office, executed a search and arrest warrant in the 1400 Block of Orange Street, Vidor, Orange County, Texas.

This search warrant was obtained after a lengthy investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine in the Vidor, Texas area.

Approximately ½ pound of methamphetamine was found inside of the residence.

After the investigation, Aaron Leonard Dixon was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 – > 200 grams < 400 grams which is a 1st degree felony. A second occupant, Heather Elizabeth Wood, was found to be in possession of ¼ of an ounce of methamphetamine and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 – > 4 grams < 200 grams which is a 2nd degree felony. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank everyone with their assistance in this investigation. (From press release)

BRIDGE CITY DRUG BUST

May 13, 2021 (updated July 20, 2022) Published by Ginger Broomes

BRIDGE CITY DRUG BUST | Yesterday, authorities confiscated a large amount of methamphetamine, along with several firearms at a residence in Bridge City.

On 05/12/2021, the Orange Regional Tactical Response Team executed an evidentiary search warrant at 1101 Bernice , in reference to narcotics being sold from the residence.

Two people were taken into custody – Ory Henry, 27, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Rachel Morgan, 29, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance.

This was a joint investigation conducted by the City of Orange Narcotic Division, West Orange Police Department and the Bridge City Police Department.