Picayune Police officers made two drug-related arrests last week after receiving calls of suspicious behavior.
On Dec. 16 at 9:14 a.m., officers were dispatched to the area of East Canal and South Haugh roads in reference to a Nissan Altima driving on three wheels, Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said.
Upon arrival, the officer observed the vehicle driving south on Haugh Street crossing Mitchell Street, with the rear driver’s side of the vehicle scraping the ground, causing roadway damage, Magri said.
The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop but the vehicle continued for several blocks until it reached Seal Street, at which time the driver exited the vehicle, Magri said.
The driver was identified as Derek Jarrell, 35, of 11 Fritz Whitfield Road, whose license was suspended and had no proof of insurance, Magri said.
The officer asked Jarrell to place his hands on the vehicle numerous times, but Jarrell refused to comply and was eventually taken into custody, Magri said.
A search of the vehicle located a gum wrapper containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana in a compartment under the radio, two syringes, one containing a brown liquid substance believed to be heroin in the trunk, and an opened coffee sweetener pack containing a white powdery substance believed to be methamphetamine under the passenger seat, Magri said.
Jarrell was arrested for two counts of felony possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle, possession of paraphernalia, driving while license suspended, failure to yield to blue lights and siren, disorderly conduct failure to comply and no proof of insurance, Magri said.
Jarrell has since been released on bond, he said. It is unknown why the vehicle was driving on three wheels.
In a separate incident on Dec. 18, officers were dispatched to a local quick stop at 10:27 p.m. in reference to a parked vehicle still running in the parking lot with a female driver slumped over in her seat, Magri said.
When officers arrived on scene, they found the vehicle, still running, and observed the female unconscious in the driver’s seat, Magri said.
The officer knocked on the window numerous times in an attempt to wake her and after several minutes the suspect unlocked the door and stepped out of the vehicle, Magri said.
Upon checking the VIN number of the vehicle, the officer learned it was listed as stolen by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Department, Magri said.
The suspect, identified as Amber Giordano, 30, of 4154 Walnut Street, Slidell, was listed as a convicted felon out of Louisiana and was taken into custody while a search of the vehicle was conducted, Magri said.
During the search, officers located a .380-caliber pistol, which was also reported stolen out of Slidell, a syringe with a brown residue believed to be heroin and a purse on the front passenger seat, Magri said.
Inside the purse, officers located a clear plastic container with five pills identified as Clonazepam, a schedule IV narcotic, Magri said.
Giordano was transported to the Picayune Criminal Justice Center where a more thorough search of her person located a clear plastic bag containing a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine, Magri said.
Giordano was arrested for two counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia, receiving stolen property, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
She is being held on a $12,500 bond, and a hold was placed on her by the Louisiana Dept. corrections, Magri said.