Runner with ties to Claiborne arrested by Minden Police

By Bonnie Culverhouse

An Athens man wanted by Claiborne Parish was caught running from Minden Police Officers last Friday.

Jermaine Winzer, 35, of the 300 block of Mulnix Switch Rd., Athens, was arrested for obstruction of justice, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer by flight and on a warrant from Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Claiborne Parish charges include criminal trespassing, possession of schedule II controlled dangerous substances and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Minden Police Chief Jared McIver said Sgt. Chris Cayer was at a North Middle Landing address, assisting the department’s Criminal Investigative Division with search warrants.

“Sgt. Cayer was on exterior security when Det. Sgt. Jason Smith called out over the radio that one black male was running toward Shreveport Road,” McIver said. “Cayer proceeded to Shreveport Road in his patrol unit and saw the male – later identified as Winzer – coming out of the wood line.”

Cayer reportedly stepped out of his vehicle and gave loud verbal commands for Winzer to show his hands and stop running.

“Winzer kept reaching in a small blue bag that he was wearing around his chest and refused to comply,” McIver said. “Sgt. Cayer observed the male throwing something on the ground. Sgt. Mitch Hackett and Cayer continued giving commands until Winzer finally stopped and was taken into custody without incident.”

A search of Winzer’s path reportedly yielded a glass pipe that contained suspected methamphetamine residue. Off. Kendale Booker advised Winzer of his rights, and Winzer allegedly admitted to disposing the pipe.

He was taken to Minden Police Department, where dispatch confirmed an active warrant through Claiborne Parish.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.