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On Sunday, the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a man and woman in separate incidents, according to WPSO Chief Deputy Mike Haley.

After a citizen’s report of a carelessly operated vehicle on Louisiana Highway 25 south of Franklinton, officers responded and intercepted Heath Jonathan Barber, 43, a resident of Louisiana Highway 10.

After receiving permission to search Barber’s vehicle, deputies discovered illegal drugs and a loaded 20-gauge shotgun, Haley said. A search of the criminal justice database indicated Barber had outstanding warrants in Washington Parish.

He was booked into the Washington Parish Jail on charges of possession of a controlled dangerous substance with a weapon present, possession of illegal drugs with intent to distribute, criminal damage, theft and failure to appear in court.

Haley said that Barber has two previous stays in the Washington Parish Jail. In 2010, he was booked on charges of two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm. A 2012 arrest resulted in a charge of cruelty to animals.

Also on Sunday, an officer responded to T. Brumfield Road after a citizen reported a suspicious person in the area.

Haley said that the deputy discovered Tabitha Perriloux Lowe, 41, hiding in the bushes. He detained her after a search of the criminal justice database revealed she had outstanding warrants in Washington Parish. In addition, she was in possession of illegal drugs, Haley said.

Lowe was taken into custody and booked into the jail on charges of three counts of contempt of court and one count of possession of illegal drugs.

Haley said that Lowe has four previous stays in the Washington Parish Jail. In 2018, she was booked into the jail on a charge of possession of illegal drugs. She was arrested twice in 2019 for possession of drug paraphernalia and contempt of court. In 2020, she was arrested for two counts of failure to appear in court and driving while under suspension.

“In each case, a concerned citizen led officers to wanted persons,” Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal said. “We are always grateful for good information from the public and will respond when requested to do so. I compliment our officers for their diligence.”