LJ Welch Jr., 48, and his wife, Sandra, 52, were taken into custody for manufacturing meth. They are from Kentwood.

According to Sheriff Daniel Edwards, LJ Welch had previously bought items commonly used to make Meth, so deputies went to interview him Saturday afternoon. Reportedly, as deputies pulled into the driveway at 509 13th Ave. in Kentwood, Welch took off running but they caught him a short time later. Deputies found pipes used to smoke Meth, Meth, a tooter straw and about $1,500 in cash in his pockets.

Edwards said as deputies were bringing Welch back to the home, a truck pulled up by the driveway and he yelled to the driver to run. The vehicle took off and deputies went after it, eventually catching it after a short chase. Deputies said Sandra Welch was driving and had a 3-year-old girl inside with her. Deputies found a black bag with meth-making materials and $700 in cash. Welch was arrested and the girl was released to the custody of her parents.

Deputies said after Sandra Welch was arrested, LJ Welch began to cooperate with them. He took them to a home in St. Helena Parish where he was allegedly making meth. After they found more materials to make Meth, they dispatched a hazardous materials cleanup crew to the home.

LJ Welch was charged with resisting arrest, possession with intent to distribute Schedule II narcotics and possession of drug paraphernalia. Sandra Welch was charged with resisting an officer, child desertion and manufacturing meth.

According to records, LJ Welch has an extensive criminal history. He was arrested in Mississippi for stealing materials to make meth. He was also arrested on Meth charges in Arkansas and Alabama.

Deputies also claimed Sandra Welch slid the handcuffs across one of their vehicles, leaving a large scratch, when she was taken back to her home.