Man arrested for attempted second-degree murder, carjacking, aggravated kidnapping

Approximately 1:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, March 4, 2015 Plaquemine Police arrested Donald S. Phillips, Jr., 53, and charged him with aggravated kidnapping, carjacking and attempted second-degree murder in result of the investigation of the incident that occurred Monday morning, March 2, 2015.

Around 7 a.m. Monday morning, a woman was approached by her vehicle when Phillips attempted to kidnap and carjack her in the St. John the Evangelist Church parking lot.  Phillips could not start the car, and in his frustration stabbed the victim in the leg.

Phillips pushed the victim into the passenger seat from the driver’s side and attempted to flee, but the victim found a window of opportunity to escape the vehicle and call for help.  Phillips then abandoned the car and fled on foot.  The victim was treated at the hospital for the puncture wound to her leg.

The investigation was a collaboration with the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Department and the Plaquemine Police Department.

“I’d like to thank the Sheriff and all of his detectives,” Captain Kenny Payne said.  “I’d especially like to thank our detective division and our patrol officers for all of their countless hours looking through video tape from local businesses and questioning people.  It’s been a very good joint effort from both departments in this investigation.”

“This investigation was of the most dangerous criminal that was taken off the street,” Sheriff Brett Stassi said.  “His record proves that this lady may have saved her life and the people that ran over to her car may have saved her from undue harm.  Detectives from all departments worked tirelessly to bring this to justice.”

Sheriff Stassi insisted the departments have more work to do as they turn the case over to the District Attorney’s office in an attempt to take the criminal off the streets permanently.

Donald Phillips has been incarcerated twice before, both on rape cases.  Phillips was sentenced in 1982 when he served 20 years of a 40-year sentence.  He was then sentenced to a 20-year sentence in 2003 in which he served 10 years.

“We’ve tried to get this taken care of as quick as possible so people will feel safe in their neighborhood,” Payne said.  “Nowhere is off limits, unfortunately.  As the Sheriff said, we are still in the beginning stages of making a case.”

The PPD and IPSD feel they have a strong case, but will continue to build it.  With the help of local Plaquemine businesses, the IPSD and PPD were able to compile videotape of Philips, which led to the tip of his whereabouts.

“Law enforcement is one aspect of it,” Stassi said.  “But if you work together, and everybody pulls together is how you get to the conclusion of these cases.  Hopefully he’ll never see the light of day.”