Demonstration of ARGO from STPSO on Vimeo.

The new ARGO amphibious vehicle will allow the Sheriff’s Office to conduct search and rescue operations in a manner previously not possible. During natural disasters, this vehicle will allow deputies to “drive” down flooded streets, transition to land, bring aboard a stranded resident, and return them to safety. In the marsh, the boundaries between areas accessible by boat and by foot are erased. This vehicle will get us virtually anywhere in the parish we need to be. In case you’re wondering, propulsion in the water comes from the unique tire treads.

Tim Lentz

Donald Sharp

After a distinguished 34 year career in law enforcement, Chief Deputy Donald Sharp has retired from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office.

In 1974, Chief Sharp began his career as a 15 year old Junior Deputy. He then joined the Reserve division before becoming a full time deputy when he turned 18. He worked his way through the ranks, eventually earning the position of Chief Deputy of this agency. His law enforcement career has too many highlights to list them all, including being the only Sergeant from this agency to ever graduate from the FBI National Academy.

“During his career, Chief Sharp served as a mentor and friend to many who were fortunate enough to serve with him. As he looks forward to the opportunities ahead, he will be greatly missed here. We all wish him the very best in his retirement,” Sheriff Strain said.

On Monday, Sheriff Strain named Deputy Chief Tim Lentz as Chief Sharp’s replacement. Chief Lentz began his near-30 year career with the Sheriff’s Office in our Reserve division. At the time, he was 19 years old and had just graduated high school. Since then, Chief Lentz has worked in many different areas within the Sheriff’s Office, including the Crime Lab, Fleet maintenance, Narcotics, Criminal Patrol, Investigations, and the Warrants/Fugitive section. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Criminal Justice from Loyola University, where he now serves as an Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice. In addition to his history with this agency, Chief Lentz has served our parish through a variety of community service organizations. He serves on the boards of S.T.O.P.S. (St. Tammany Outreach for the Prevention of Suicide), Habitat for Humanity and the Children’s Advocacy Center. He is also a member of the St. Peter’s School board.

“We welcome Chief Deputy Tim Lentz and look forward to his continued service to our agency, our citizens, and our parish,” Strain said.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office is attempting to identify two individuals in connection with an attempted armed robbery last week in the 35400 block of Melody Lane in the Slidell area.

A resident reported two unidentified black males, both in their early 20’s, knocked on the front door and announced that they were “holding up” the homeowner. One of the men was seen holding a handgun.

The homeowner immediately called 911. Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene, conducted a perimeter search and attempted a K-9 track of the suspects. The homeowner was unable to provide a clothing description of the men.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 985-898-2338.

A pursuit of two 16 year old New Orleans teenagers following a Slidell area carjacking resulted in the teens being arrested and booked with a variety of offenses, Sheriff Jack Strain announced today.

Deputies with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at approximately 10:00 p.m. last night from a resident of the Harborside Apartments on Oak Harbor Blvd. The resident reported having been carjacked by two unknown black males, one of whom pointed a semi-automatic handgun at the victim during the commission of the crime. The two males then entered the vehicle and drove away, with the one carrying the weapon driving the vehicle.

Sheriff’s deputies patrolling the area spotted the car approximately one half mile from the complex on Oak Harbor Blvd. and attempted to stop the vehicle, a 2002 blue Ford Taurus. The driver accelerated in an attempt to outrun deputies and entered Interstate 10 southbound, toward the twin spans.

Speeds during the pursuit at times reached 100 miles per hour, with the suspect vehicle swerving around traffic on I-10. Once on the twin spans, the driver of the Taurus lost control of the vehicle during one such maneuver and impacted the guard rail of the bridge, disabling the car.

The driver and passenger of the Taurus exited the vehicle and began running South on the bridge. Deputies followed in their patrol vehicles until, after approximately one half mile, the two teens became exhausted and surrendered.

Deputies retrieved a cell phone and a black semi-automatic handgun from the vehicle.

The two males were arrested and brought to the Sheriff’s Office Slidell Law Enforcement Complex on Brownswitch Rd. and their parents, who live on the South shore, were notified. The father of one of the teenagers travelled to Slidell to be in the presence of his son during questioning. His son provided a statement concerning the incident. The other teen was not questioned due to the inability of his parents to travel to the northshore.

Both teens were transported to the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center. The driver is being charged with carjacking, aggravated flight from an officer, resisting an officer and driving without a license. The passenger is being charged with principal to commission of a crime.