Bogalusa Police Chief Joe Culpepper commended his officers for recently apprehending Warren Street resident Rodney Joe Hatcher, who has a history with BPD that dates back two years.

The 21-year-old Hatcher was stopped and arrested by BPD officers, around midnight Monday near the intersection of Avenue B and Willis Avenue. Charges against Hatcher include felony counts of sexual battery, simple burglary, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and possession of heroin. He was also charged with illegally carrying a weapon while in possession of controlled, dangerous substances.

Culpepper said a female victim lodged the sexual battery complaint against Hatcher on Tuesday, Aug. 18.

“We knew he had outstanding warrants for his arrest,” Culpepper said. “Someone reported seeing him near Columbia Street. He was arrested a short time later.”

Culpepper said Hatcher also had outstanding warrants in connection with a burglary on Sunday, Sept. 6, at Sunset Acres. In that case, Hatcher allegedly took a television set, an X-Box, a video game and other electronics.

Culpepper said the arresting officers allegedly discovered a loaded .38 pistol in Hatcher’s possession. At the jail, a small amount of heroin in his sock was also reportedly discovered.

A female passenger riding with Hatcher was released. Hatcher was transported to the Washington Parish Jail in Franklinton on Tuesday morning.

“We need to get these kinds of people off the street to protect our citizens,” Culpepper said. “We take complaints — especially sex crimes against young women — very seriously.”