NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – A Crimestoppers tip led to the arrest of a man accused of robbing three students at gunpoint inside Tulane University’s student center last Saturday (October 10), the NOPD announced.
20-year-old Tre Spadoni is accused of walking up to students who were studying, showing them a weapon, and ordering them to take cash out of a nearby ATM.
On Wednesday, the NOPD released a photo of the suspect taken from surveillance video. Less than 24 hours later detectives arrested Spadoni in the 2900 block of Orleans Avenue.
During questioning, Spadoni confessed to robbing the students. Detectives also recovered the weapon used in the crime, as well as some of the clothing Spadoni was wearing when he committed it. Second District Commander Paul Noel says the weapon was a beebee gun that looked like a real gun. He says Spadoni has no apparent connection to Tulane, and they believe his motivation was simply financial gain.
The NOPD Second District and Tulane University are in charge of the on-going investigation. Crimestoppers says it will work with police to determine which tip, if any, will be the one to merit the reward money. Tulane University put up $10,000.