[StBernard] Man sought in Arabi beating, break-in

[Westley Annis]

Man sought in Arabi beating, break-in

Published: Thursday, July 14, 2011, 4:14 PM     Updated: Thursday, July 14,
2011, 4:23 PM

 By Dennis Persica, The Times-Picayune 

The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office is looking for a man accused of
forcing his way into his ex-girlfriend's apartment in Arabi, trying to
strangle her and hitting her in the head before she finally escaped.

John Earl Dawkins III, 27, is being sought. Dawkins, who has a prior history
of domestic violence, lived with the woman and their young daughter at the
Arabi apartment at one time, Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

On the night of July 8, Dawkins forced open a back door of the apartment and
entered the residence without permission, then chased the ex-girlfriend up a
set of stairs and tried to strangle her, the sheriff's office said in a
press release. Dawkins also forced her to a bedroom and struck her in the
head and mouth.

The commotion awakened their young daughter and eventually the woman was
able to flee the apartment with the girl and called the Sheriff's Office.
Dawkins left the scene.

Sheriff's Det. Johnny Caserta obtained a warrant from a judge for Dawkins'
arrest.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call the St. Bernard
Sheriff's Office at 504.271.2501 or Crimestoppers at 504.822.1111 or
tollfree at 877.903.7867.