Drug bust leads to arrest of suspected hit and run driver

A 29-year-old Boutte man who was wanted for aggravated battery, simple assault and a hit and run was arrested last week after authorities say they executed a search warrant at his home and found drugs and a loaded gun.

A warrant was issued for Noel Sumlin, of 532 S. Kinler St., after his failure to appear in court to deal with charges stemming from a November altercation with his then-girlfriend, according to Capt. Pat Yoes, a spokesman for the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office.

On Nov. 5, a woman contacted authorities and said that Sumlin hit her with a full key ring on her back and left arm. The woman also told deputies that she was cut on her right hand, Yoes said.

According to the arrest report, a deputy verified the injuries.

The victim also told police that Sumlin took her car and drove it into a loaded garbage can in front of her home before fleeing on foot.

Yoes said that based on information gathered by deputies, a search warrant was executed at Sumlin’s home and police found a loaded handgun, crack cocaine, marijuana and a digital weigh scale.

Sumlin was arrested on Jan. 12 and charged with aggravated battery, simple assault, hit and run driving, carrying an illegal weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia, use of a firearm with a controlled, dangerous substance, possession of marijuana and possession of crack cocaine.