NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – Ten suspects, 8 who are under the age of 17, were arrested over the weekend for committing various armed robberies across New Orleans, police said.
The arrests are a combination of solid police work and strategic manpower deployment.
“We are committed to tracking down the individuals who are responsible for committing violent crime, taking them off the streets and bringing them to justice,” said NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison. “The arrests made this weekend show how hard our officers are working every day to keep our neighborhoods safe.”
1. Three arrested for armed robbery at Elk Place and Canal Street
New Orleans police arrested three teens, ages 14, 15, and 16, Friday. They are accused of robbing a man at Elk Place and Canal Street around 6:20 p.m. on January 9, then boarding an RTA bus to getaway.
Police said the three teens attended the same school. They have been transported to the Juvenile Center and booked with armed robbery.
2. Three arrested for armed robbery and armed carjacking on Willbrook Drive and near the intersection of Reynes and Burgundy
On Friday, January 16, two or three suspects drove up to a woman leaving her car in the 13200 block of Willowbrook Drive. One suspect showed a handgun and demanded the victim’s keys.
The victim complied and the suspects then attempted to start her car. After several unsuccessful attempts, they left with the victim’s keys.
Later that day, an NOPD officer spotted a black Nissan Altima that fit the description of the car used in the armed robbery on Willowbrook Drive. After a short pursuit, the suspect’s crashed the car at the intersection of Lake Forest and Michoud Boulevard and the driver and four occupants fled on foot into a wooded area.
After a search, 20-year-old Nishawn Critney and four male juveniles, two age 14 and two age 15 were apprehended.
During the course of the investigation, officers linked Critney and one 14 and one 15-year-old to two robberies.
3. Three arrested for Carjacking on Poland Avenue, weapon recovered
Around 9 p.m., Saturday, January 17, a couple ages 31 and 28 were walking away from their car at the intersection of Poland Avenue and Burgundy Street when they were approached by three teens.
The victims told police one suspect pointed a gun at them and demanded their car keys. The couple complied and went to a nearby bar to call for help.
Minutes later, HANO police spotted the stolen car at the intersection of Alvar and Chickasaw and provided the information to NOPD.
Shortly after, NOPD caught up with the vehicle. During the pursuit, officers observed the passenger in the back seat throw a handgun outside of the window at the intersection of Tupelo and N. Johnson.
At the intersection of Forstall and Dauphine, all three individuals in the car got out and ran off into a backyard in the 800 block of Forstall.
NOPD set up a perimeter and with the help of K-9 Unit the three suspects were found in a backyard in the 5000 block of Burgundy Street. Officers recovered the discarded handgun at the intersection of N. Johnson and Tupelo.
A 13, 14, and 15-year-old were arrested and booked.
4. One arrested for Armed Robbery at Foxcroft Dr./Winchester Park Drive
On Saturday, January 17, an 18-year-old man was robbed at gunpoint while he sat in his car just before midnight. The suspect, identified as Corey Patton, 18, demanded the victim to get out, then he drove off in the victim’s car. But he got stuck in traffic, according to police.
That’s when the victim’s brother approached the suspect and tried to pull him out of his brother’s car. Then two other unknown men drove up in a red PT Cruiser and robbed the victim’s brother at gunpoint, police said.
After the robbery, the suspects fled the scene.