LORANGER, La (BRPROUD) – A Loranger man was arrested by the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office for allegedly harassing a power line worker with a handgun.
“There is nothing more important than the safety of those who are working hard in the recovery process of our parish. Interfering with linemen trying to restore power in our parish will not be tolerated,” Travis said.
Deputies responded to the Hwy 445 area in regard to a call from a power line employee who said he was harassed by a man armed with a handgun as he and his crew worked to restore power in the area on Friday, Sept. 10.
Detectives learned that as the power line employees were working in the affected area flagging traffic, a male driver did not slow his vehicle down and sped through the work area waving his hands in the air and yelling at the workers, creating a dangerous situation.
The same male returned to the work area driving a black Scion and swerved and maneuvered his vehicle toward the lineman before coming to a complete stop.
The male then rolled his window down, brandished a handgun in the middle of the roadway, and began to verbally threaten the utility worker, according to an official press release.
After leaving the area, the workers called the police to report the incident out of fear for their safety.
After gathering information from the scene, detectives were able to identify 35-year-old Kendrick James as the suspect.
Police Chief Jimmy Travis said TPSO deputies obtained and successfully executed an arrest warrant on James on the charge of aggravated assault on a utility worker.
James has been arrested.
“This event is a reminder of the many hazards faced by essential workers,” Travis said. “Thank you for putting in the long hours to support our parish during this extremely difficult time.”
