By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

HAHNVILLE – St. Charles Parish deputies arrested a Luling man on attempted first-degree murder charges after he broke into a Boutte home and pistol-whipped his 33-year-old former girlfriend and a 36-year-old Thibodaux man early New Year’s Day.

Jerod. J. Joseph, 27, of 1326 Luling Estates, was apprehended a short time after he forced his way into his former girlfriend’s home in the 200 block of Magnolia Ridge, said Capt. Pat Yoes, a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office.

Yoes said the female victim told deputies Joseph hit her and the Thibodaux man in the head with a gun during an argument inside the home around 2 a.m. on Jan. 1.

She said Joseph’s weapon fired during the assault, but no one was hit by the wayward bullet.

Yoes said Joseph tried to flee the scene on foot, but deputies were able to catch up to him not far from the home.

According to a report on the incident, the victim also said prior to the break-in Joseph had called the home several times saying he was “going to kill her.” He also is accused of biting both victims.

In addition to attempted first-degree murder, Joseph was also booked with aggravated burglary, aggravated battery, aggravated assault and making harassing phone calls. Yoes said Joseph is being held at the Nelson Coleman Correctional Facility in Killona in lieu of bond, which was set at $251,000.