06/09/2026
We love seeing a great collaboration come together with one of local breweries Abita Brewing Company and local law enforcement St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office!
NEWS RELEASE
Sgt. Jenni Barrette Public Information Officer
June 8, 2026 ---
An Impaired Driving Investigation Took An Unexpected Turn When The Suspect Decided To Flee On Foot…Straight Into The Swamp
On Sunday, June 7, 2026, Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop B responded to reports of a Toyota vehicle being driven recklessly on Interstate 10 near Bonnabel Boulevard in Jefferson Parish. Troopers also received reports that the vehicle had struck a concrete barrier and sustained a tire blowout.
Troopers later located the vehicle traveling south on Interstate 310 in St. Charles Parish and conducted a traffic stop. While speaking with the driver, identified as 40-year-old Victor Rivas of 160 Westover Lane, Montz, Louisiana, he showed signs of impairment. During the DWI investigation, Rivas fled on foot and jumped from the elevated portion of Interstate 310 into the swamp.
The St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office was alerted to the incident and assisted troopers in locating Rivas. A short time later, Rivas was seen walking along Airline Highway. When deputies approached to take him into custody, he fled again into another portion of the swamp.
That’s when Alphagator, a local swamp resident apparently on loan from Abita Brewing Company, joined the law enforcement team. Alphagator tried to convince Rivas that surrendering was the better option, but the suspect thought otherwise. Rivas was attacked by Alphagator and sustained injuries to both of his arms.
Undeterred by his injuries, Rivas continued fleeing before being located by our drone team. Drone operators communicated with deputies in the area, who apprehended Rivas as he was exiting the swamp. He was transported to the hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Alphagator was not injured and has since returned to his regular patrol of the swamp—presumably to reward himself with a cold beverage.
Once released from the hospital, Rivas was transported to the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center and booked on charges of:
• Operating a vehicle while impaired - 1st Offense
• Resisting an officer
Reminder: Don't drive impaired, don't run from deputies, and certainly don't hide in Louisiana Swamps. Wildlife and some corporate mascots may just be cooperating with law enforcement.
*All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.*