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On March 9, 2019 at approximately 5:40 p.m. patrol officers of the Abbeville Police Department clocked a vehicle doing 75 mph in a 45 mph zone.
The officer activated his lights and siren and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.
The vehicle refused to stop, traveling east on LA Hwy. 14 (Veterans Memorial Dr.). The vehicle then performed an illegal U-Turn and attempted to evade
officers. The vehicle was forced to stop due to the construction zone near Shop Rite. The driver was arrested and transported to the Abbeville Police Department.
The suspect, now identified as Christopher Rice, was later given a Standardized Field Sobriety Test after admitting to drinking Jose Cuervo. Mr. Rice submitted to a breath test on the Intoxilyzer 9000 and blew a .088g%.
During booking, Mr. Rice was very combative, yelling at officers and attempting to leave the police department. While booking Mr. Rice, he also grabbed an officer and started pulling on him. The officer gave him several loud commands to let him go and Mr. Rice refused to do so. After a brief struggle, Mr. Rice was drive-stunned in the lower abdomen with a taser and officers were able to restrain Mr. Rice.
Mr. Rice was booked on the charges of Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, D.W.I., Resisting an Officer with Force or Violence, Battery on a Police Officer and attempted Simple Escape. Mr. Rice was transported to the Vermilion Parish Correctional Center.
Chief Spearman would like to commend his officers for a job well done. Chief Spearman would also like to thank the citizens of Abbeville for their support and help they provide to the Abbeville Police Department.
Anyone with any information regarding any crime is encouraged to contact the Abbeville Police Department. You may also contact our “Tips” line at 892-6777. All callers may remain anonymous.

On March 12, 2019, at approximately 1:30 p.m. officers with the Abbeville Police Department responded to a shooting call at the intersection of N. Bailey Street and Clover Street.
A preliminary investigation has concluded that the victim and a female subject were having a verbal argument at a residence near that intersection. Soon thereafter, several males got involved, and a physical altercation started between the victim and the suspect.
The suspect (identified as Alvin Wiltz, AKA Gator) pulled out a handgun and shot the victim in the chest. The suspect then fled the area on foot.
The victim was transported to a nearby hospital where he is currently receiving treatment. The condition of the victim is unknown at this time.
An arrest warrant charging Mr. Wiltz with Attempted 2nd Degree Murder has been obtained by the Abbeville Police Department. Mr. Wiltz is to be considered armed and dangerous.
If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Mr. Wiltz, please contact the Abbeville Police Department at 893-2511 or Lt. Jason Hebert at 523-1791. Callers may also contact the “Tips” line at 892-6777. All callers may remain anonymous.

BATON ROUGE — After so many years of John Kennedy as State Treasurer, many Louisianians don’t realize their treasurer is John Schroder – a former state representative.
And in his initial term Schroder is working hard to give citizens some money.
“I’m working really hard in my first year in office to sort of re-brand,” said Schroder, “because nobody knows what unclaimed property is.”
“It’s not really property; it’s cash!”
The state gets about $90 million annually, according to Schroder. Roughly $30 million is returned.
In just his first year, Schroder has upped returns by $20 million.
“Just with the use of technology,” Schroder said, “getting rid of some red tape. This money belongs to the citizens of Louisiana—it’s not government money.”
Schroder’s office has been trying to give away a whole lot of money—including an enormous amount to one person in northwest Louisiana.
“We got a $2.3-million-dollar claim,” Schroder said, “that’s the highest we’ve ever had in the state.”
But Schroder could not disclose the recipient of that huge check.
“The average check is about $900,” said Schroder.
A check of a map on the Treasurer’s website showed the amount of unclaimed property available in nearby parishes:
Acadia: $4 million
Jeff Davis: $2.4 million
Lafayette: $24.7 million
St. Landry: $6.2 million
Vermilion: $3.2 million
“What I’m working on is our outcomes,” said Schroder, “I want to make sure our outcomes are the best they can be; and we’re going to get more aggressive returning these funds to the citizens.”
Schroder said he wants to create a trust fund for the unclaimed money as it comes in; recognizing that it does not belong to the government. But a bill to that effect passed by the House and Senate was vetoed by the administration.
“We hope to work with the administration and fix any problems they may have with it,” Schroder said. “I think it would be a good opportunity to save some money that’s not ours, and live off the dividends; because the law doesn’t say we can’t live off the dividends.”
Schroder says following that procedure over the next 25 years could create a fund for the state kicking off $25 million to $30 million a year.
To see if you have any unclaimed property coming your way, go to the State Treasurer’s website/unclaimed property section.

June 27, 1935 ~ March 10, 2019

ABBEVILLE — Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville honoring the life of Betty June LaPointe Cavalier, 83, who died Sunday, March 10, 2019 at her residence. She will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Deacon William “Billy” Vincent officiating the services. Serving as pallbearers will be Mark Cavalier, Sr., Mark Cavalier, Jr., Brock Benoit, Cory Benoit, Andre Benoit and Taylor Benoit.
Betty is survived by her son, Mark Cavalier, Sr.; daughter, Sandy Cavalier and her companion Jason Hernandez; brother, Logan LaPointe; two sisters, Naida Rector and Jane Foegelle; grandchildren, Brock Benoit and fiancée Shawna C. Bouillion, Cory Benoit, Mark Cavalier, Jr. and his wife Tiffany, and Francis Cavalier and his wife Simone; great grandchildren, Andre Benoit and fiancée Claire Dugas, Cohen Benoit, Kelsey Benoit and fiancé Tre Jabbia, Taylor Benoit, Hadlie Benoit, Nathan Benoit, Bentley Cavalier and Alexander Cavalier.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lucien Cavalier, Jr.; parents, Felix LaPointe and the former Mary Richard; daughter-in-law, Melanie Cavalier; grandchild, P.J. Cavalier, and sisters, Florence Breaux, Joyce Bares and Thelma Schexnider.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 from 8:30 AM until time of services.
The family wishes to thank Bridgeway Hospice for their care, compassion and support.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.