LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / February 2, 2000

LULING – A man whose Lakewood Drive apartment was frequented by neighborhood children was arrested Saturday after allegedly fondling two young girls.

The girls broke away from Richard M. Randolph after he reportedly came outof his bathroom naked, sat down with the girls, ages 10 and 11, and tried to fondle them.

Capt. Patrick Yoes of the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office reported thatRandolph, 47, often had children visiting his apartment at 121 Lakewood Drive. “It was commonplace for kids to go there and hang out,” Yoes added.On Saturday, as the two girls were working on a school project in Randolph’s living room, Randolph went into his bathroom, stripped and emerged naked to sit down with the girls.

When he tried to fondle them, Yoes said, one broke free and the second was grabbed by Randolph, who slammed her against a wall. Both girls escaped andtold their parents, who called police.

When deputies arrived they could see Randolph inside the apartment, fully dressed, but he refused to open his door.

Deputies forced entry and, after a brief struggle, arrested Randolph, who was booked with sexual battery, aggravated crime against nature, resisting an officer and two counts each of cruelty to a juvenile, simple battery and false imprisonment.

Bond was set at $353,000 by 29th Judicial District Judge Emile St. Pierre.

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