The Jeanerette Police Department has joined forces with area law enforcement  agencies to help solve the rash of robberies that have occurred over the last month and a half.

“We want to make sure the citizens know there is  ongoing investigation into the break-ins. The chief has requested assistance,” said Mayor Arthur Verret at a Jeanerette Board of Aldermen meeting Monday night.

Jeanerette Police Chief Morman Alexander said his officers are increasing patrols to show a presence on Main Street and Martin Luther King Drive.

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“At night, we are physically checking the front and rear entrance of every business throughout the city to make sure the doors are secured,” he said.

Alexander updated aldermen on the investigation status of the last five robberies within the city.

“Please be advised that contact with outside agencies are being made weekly, but little or no new information has come forward,” he said.

Alexander said his department is working with the  Iberia Sheriff’s Department, Eunice, Opelousas, Baldwin and Morgan City police departments, along with the FBI to solve the armed robbery at City Pharmacy. All of the towns had the same type of pharmaceutical robbery.

“We have developed a new possible suspect with the Eunice Police and are currently putting a lineup together,” he said.

Alexander said the FBI and Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Department are working to create a flyer with the suspect’s description of the Mid South Bank attempted robbery.

“There is very little information due to the fact that the suspect was well masked and had on gloves. They are currently doing a profile to see if there were any other incidents in the area, “he said.

Jeanerette Police are hoping to close the case of the armed robbery of  S & J Mobil.

“We  have a suspect named and we are attempting to locate him so we can interview him and possibly close the case,” said Alexander.

No new information has been found in the break-in of V& H Fabrication where a large amount of copper was stolen. A break-in at Jeanerette Sugar Company has been determined to be an employee theft and the owner chose not to go forward with an internal investigation of employees, he said.

In other business the board:

• Awarded the first phase renovation contract of the old Jeanerette Police Department building to Fitch Construction Company at a total cost of $127,721.

• The appointment of a representative to the Iberia Parish REcreation District was tabled.