Suspicious vehicle complaint leads to wanted persons, drug arrest near Mora
A suspicious vehicle complaint has led to the arrest of two men on outstanding warrants and drug charges according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.
The investigation began on Wednesday morning, Oct. 2, at approximately 8:50am, when deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau responded to NATCOM 911 Center reports of a suspicious, Nissan Altima, occupied by two men, that appeared to be passed-out and parked partially in the roadway on the Kistachie-Mora Road near the Mora community in Natchitoches Parish.
Deputies arrived on scene, finding the vehicle partially in the roadway occupied by two men that appeared to be sleeping or passed-out.
Deputies knocked on the door glass several times, finally, awakening the two men, who immediately appeared startled when they recognized the sheriff's deputy.
They began to hide items in the vehicle leading the deputy to believe criminal activity existed.
The deputy asked the driver, identified as 32-year-old Carmello M. Casciari, of Gorum to exit the vehicle.
After exiting the vehicle, the deputy smelled a strong marijuana odor coming from within the vehicle.
Casciari has a prior arrest history in Natchitoches Parish.
A passenger in the vehicle was identified as 24-year-old Bailey Anthony Andes, formerly of Gorum who gave a Many address.
Andes, also has a prior arrest history in Natchitoches Parish.
A local warrants check revealed that Casciari was wanted by the 10th Judicial District Court for Failure to Appear in Court on November 30, 2022 on a wildlife violation of Possession of an Alligator in Closed Season.
Andes, was also wanted by the 10th Judicial District Court for Failure to Appear in Court on October 27, 2022 for Aggravated Flight from an Officer, Domestic Abuse, Domestic Abuse by Child Endangerment, Driving Under Suspension, Violation of a Protective Order and Expired Motor Vehicle Inspection Sticker.
An additional unit responded to assist.
Both subjects were placed under arrest without incident.
A search of the vehicle led to the discovery and seizure of suspected methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia.
As a result:
*Carmello M. Casciari, was transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Failure to Appear in the 10th Judicial District Court in November 2022.
*Bailey Anthony Andes, 24, formerly of Gorum, who gave a Texas Street address in Many, La. was transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Failure to Appear in the 10th Judicial District Court on October 22, 2022 on the above charges, Possession of CDS Schedule II Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Both remain in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.
Deputies say Andes claimed ownership of the seized methamphetamine.
The seized evidence will be submitted to the crime lab for narcotics analysis.
A towing company was contacted to impound the vehicle.
Involved in the arrest was: Deputy S. Kennedy assisted by Lt. M. Robertson.
Deputies say as in this case, a citizen observed suspicious activity and reported it which led to arrests. If you observe suspicious activity in your community contact the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office at 357-7851 or 352-6432. Always attempt to provide descriptions of the vehicle(s) or person(s) involved in the activity.
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