Pine Prairie police arrest two in separate incidents

A rather routine traffic incident escalated into one Pine Prairie resident being booked into the Evangeline Parish Jail for charges of speeding, careless operation, illegal window tint, two counts of resisting an officer by force or violence, and two counts of battery of an officer.
A press release issued by the Pine Prairie Police Department stated the incident began when Emily Renee Higdon, 23, was clocked in her black Nissan on December 15 going 80 miles-per-hour in a 45 mile-per-hour zone.
The press release stated, “When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver refused to stop her vehicle and pulled into her driveway on Ash Street where she refused to exit the vehicle while stating ‘I am in my driveway so you can’t do me anything. That is the law.’”
It continued, “After several attempts, officers were able to open the door, but the female refused to obey the officer’s commands and started kicking officers. After a brief struggle, Higdon was able to be placed under arrest. Higdon was transported to the Evangeline Parish Jail on a $14,100 bond set by Judge Chuck West.”
The arrest of Higdon came a day after an employee of the Pine Prairie Prison was arrested for felony theft. According to a press release from the village’s police department, the investigation began upon the receipt of a complaint made by the prison’s warden.
The press release said, “During the investigation, it was discovered that Martha Richard, 52 of Mamou, had taken about $29,000.00 from the prison deposit during a course of several weeks. An arrest warrant was obtained and Richard was arrested without incident and booked into the Evangeline Parish Jail on felony theft charges. She is being held on a $20,000 bond set by Judge West.”