Wild, wild weekend

Black gangs get into it: The tranquility of a Sunday morning was broken when 2 groups of black guys got into an argument on Iberville Street near Burgundy Street shortly before 5 a.m. that turned into a gun battle.

One guy pulled a pistol and fired it 6 to 8 times, striking a 23-year-old man 3 times, twice in the torso and once in the left leg.

Employees of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel at that location were among the first on the scene and reported the victim appeared to be in critical condition when he was taken away by ambulance. He underwent surgery at University Hospital and was last reported in stable condition.

Police are labeling it an attempted murder and are looking for a black male in his early 20's, 5'11" tall, weighing 145 pounds, with a slim build and brown complexion, wearing a black shirt, blue pants, and a black fitted hat (what the hell's that?)

One arrest too--with 16 charges: A white man standing in front of the Renaissance Pere Marquette Hotel, 817 Common St. in the CBD, Sunday night (9.28.08) at 11 p.m. was accosted by 4 black thugs. He was struck by one of them and then was relieved of his money clip from his pants pocket. The robbers fled toward S. Rampart Street.

A short time later, police caught up with one of the thugs who was positively identified as the robber. It must have been some kind of apprehension: When it was all done, the NOPD had 16 charges against Joseph M. Lawrence, 21, 5'11" tall, weighing 210 pounds.

He was charged with simple robbery, possession with intent to distribute Ecstasy, possession of a firearm while in possession of controlled dangerous substances, flight from an officer and resisting arrest, plus a host of traffic violations too numerous for anyone but a police officer to tabulate. He's being held on $34,000 bond in OPP.

What's with the CBD?: Earlier that same day, just down the street in the 700 block of Common Street, an Asian man was walking about 5 a.m. when he was approached from behind by a nondescript male and felt something pushed into his back. The robber demanded money and the victim complied. The victim could give no description of the robber.

Then in the afternoon, at about 2:26 p.m., a white woman, who had just crossed the intersection of Girod and Magazine streets, had her purse snatched by a black man she described as 35 to 40 years old, 6' tall, weighing 320 pounds, wearing a black shirt and black running pants. He fled up Magazine toward Julia Street.

With friends like that..: A white woman walking on Dauphine Street about 5 a.m. on Saturday (9.27.08) was approached by a black dude she knew as "David" who offered to walk her over to Bourbon Street.

But after a walking for a few minutes, he punched her in the face and took 2 bracelets from her. She flagged down a passing motorist, who took her to the 8th District station at Royal and Conti streets.

She was unable to tell the officers the exact location where she'd been robbed, but described "David" as 25 to 30 years old, 5'10" tall, weighing 190 pounds, wearing a white tuxedo shirt and black pants.

* * *

As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome at NOcrimeline@gmail.com.

Thom Kahler

A week or so worth of crime

More or less: The NOPD is reporting so few crimes to the public that you've got to let the reports accumulate before they amount to a hill of beans. If it was because crime in the French Quarter has ebbed to a new low, it would be one thing. But we keep getting reports from citizens--not the police--about crimes they've heard bits about but have no details.

The case causing the most stir is this one: Several citizens reported seeing pools of blood all over the Lower Quarter on Wednesday (9.24.08) morning and wondered if someone had been murdered.

Prodigious amounts of blood were seen at Chartres and Barracks streets, on Royal Street, on Esplanade Avenue, and at Bourbon and Barracks streets. Police reported finding a white man (no age given) at the later location on Bourbon who had been stabbed in the arm. They determined the assault had occurred at the initial location on Chartres.

The victim told the cops a black guy stabbed him about 4 a.m. and fled on a bicycle "with a white bucket on the front."

Police said the victim "does not remember the events immediately before the attack," which is police-speak for "the victim was likely drunk out of his mind." Judging by the trail of blood he left, like a chicken running around with his head cut off, that's a real possibility.

In the meantime, if you're out staggering around at 4 a.m. in the Lower Quarter, watch out for a 6'-tall, 200-pound black dude riding a bicycle sporting a "white bucket" on front.

Other cases of lesser note:

• Armed robbery, 9.15.08, 4:30 a.m.: A black man, walking back to his hotel in the 300 block of Poydras Street from N. Rampart and Toulouse streets at 4:30 a.m., was robbed when a black Dodge Charger pulled along side of him and 2 armed black thugs got out and demanded his money.

He complied but waited until he got back to his hotel to report the crime. He was unsure of the exact location, and though 8th District detectives drove him around the French Quarter in an effort to locate the scene of the crime, he had no recollection. A little tourist tipsiness involved here too, it seems like.

He did describe the robbers as having dark complexions and wearing dark shirts; the driver, however, was wearing a white shirt. That should help a lot.

• Armed robbery, 9.16.08, 7:10 a.m.: A 60-year-old white woman was parking her car in the 1000 block of Chartres Street (between Ursulines and St. Philip streets) when a big black dude jumped into the passenger side and began to rummage through the woman's purse.

She screamed at the thug to get out of her car and he reached into his pocket, making her think he had a gun. She engineered her own exit from the car, taking the keys with her. When the thug realized she'd taken the keys with her, he fled too.

Police apprehended, Dale Kyles, 41, 5'11" tall, weighing 200 pounds, in the 900 block of Chartres. He was charged with 1st-degree robbery and is being held in OPP on $50,000 bond.

• Aggravated battery, 9.20.08, 8:50 p.m.: A Hispanic man standing in the 1100 block of Canal Street was attacked by a black guy who cut the victim on the neck and fled.

The assailant is described as 23 to 30 years old, 6' tall, 220 pounds, heavy set, medium curly Afro hairdo, red complexion, wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

• Attempted armed robbery, 9.21.08., 4:47 a.m.: A Hispanic man and white woman, walking with another female on Royal Street near Frenchmen Street, were accosted by a black guy sporting a handgun who demanded their money.

The thug struck the man in the head. The woman threw her purse to the ground and the thug rummaged through it but didn't take anything. He hopped into a white SUV which sped down Royal toward Esplanade Avenue.

The would-be robber was described as 20 to 25 years old, 5'8" tall, weighing 160 pounds, medium complexion, wearing a black T-shirt and dark pants.

Is the DA waiting for him to kill someone?: There were so many cases the DA refused to prosecute this month that you might have just skimmed by NOcrimeline's report last week on Luiz Ramirez not being prosecuted for a second time this year. Well, the DA may get to go for 3--if the NOPD catches up with Ramirez again.

An arrest warrant is out for Ramirez, 38, on aggravated battery after he allegedly stabbed a black man in Jackson Square on Thursday (9.25.08). Apparently the victim was engaged in a conversation with another man about 7:40 p.m. when Ramirez--whom they knew as "Dizzy"--came up and tried to butt into their conversation. They told Ramirez to butt out, at which point he allegedly stabbed one of the men in his left arm and his back.

Ramirez fled on St. Peter street toward the river. The victim was taken to the hospital, where he was listed in guarded, but stable, condition. Witnesses positively identified Ramirez, 38, 5'10" tall, weighing 220 pounds, from a photographic lineup (newer photo on the left, older photo on the right). At the time of the attack he was wearing a maroon button-down shirt and khaki pants.

Just 17 days earlier (9.8.08), the DA refused to prosecute Ramirez for aggravated battery and resisting an officer. He had been arrested in Jackson Square for allegedly stabbing a guy in the abdomen at Royal and St. Peter streets by the old A&P on 6.13.08.

In March, the DA refused to prosecute Ramirez for aggravated battery and armed robbery after he was arrested in January.

* * *

As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome at NOcrimeline@gmail.com.

Thom Kahler

Murder trial set...finally

After 10 years: A French Quarter murder case that passed the decade mark in July--to the consternation of the victim's mother and father--looks like it's finally going to trial.

Yesterday (9.18.08) in Criminal District Court Judge Arthur L. Hunter Jr.'s courtroom a trial date was set for 12.1.08 for Erran Fleming, 30, one of the defendants in the case. Fleming is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Kevin Wooldridge on 7.7.98.

Fleming's accomplice, Kevin Trainor, was convicted of second-degree murder in 2004 and is serving a life-sentence without possibility of parole or probation.

Wooldridge, 34, and his partner, Doug Rake, were returning to their home in the 1000 block of Gov. Nicholls Street after walking their dog in the Quarter that evening. They were approached by 2 black men they thought were panhandlers, but the duo then tried to rob them and followed them to their doorstep and shot Wooldridge as he tried to slam the door in their faces after Rake was already inside.

Order in the court...hardly

The hammer comes down: We were about to label Criminal District Court Judge Frank A. Marullo Jr. as a "bleeding heart" for the defendants he was turning loose on their own recognizance, when he hauled off and gave a robber a whopping 15-year sentence on Monday (9.15.08) for an armed robbery on Bourbon Street.

You won't be seeing James G. White on the streets for the next 15 years. Judge Marullo sentenced White to Angola "without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension" after he pled guilty. He'll also be serving a 12-year sentence concurrently for a burglary to which he also pled guilty.

White was arrested 12.10.07 after he approached Yilmaz Kahya, 39, of Metairie, who was standing on the corner of Bourbon and St. Philip streets near Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop at about 9:46 p.m., and asked Kahya if he wanted to buy drugs. The man declined and started to walk off. White stopped him and demanded his wallet. Kahya told White he would give him his money but not the wallet. When he removed the wallet from his back pocket, White grabbed it and they began fighting over it. White pulled out a large knife and swung it at Kahya, cutting him twice on the right forearm. White fled down Bourbon Street with the wallet and about $200 in cash.

The victim, sufficiently incensed by loosing his wallet and cash and receiving the gash on his arm, walked around the French Quarter looking for his assailant. Nearly 2 hours later, Kahya spotted his assailant at Royal and Toulouse streets at 11:32 p.m., and he and 2 friends apprehended White and held him until police arrived.

White was charged with armed robbery and aggravated battery, though the latter charge was later dropped by the DA. He has been sitting in OPP since his arrest and will get credit for those 10 months on his 15-year sentence.

Softer side of Marullo-Part I: For whatever reason, Judge Marullo decided in May to release a guy charged for possession with intent to distribute marijuana on his own recognizance after he'd been held for 2 months on $25,000 bond.

The problem with that was that when Jeffrey R. Graves, 31, was due to show up for his arraignment in July, he was nowhere to be found. He was rearrested on 8.5.08 on a domestic violence charge and is being held without bond awaiting arraignment on his drug charge later this month.

Softer side of Marullo-Part II: A 20-year-old punk--who had been charged with 7 armed robberies--is out running the streets, thanks largely to Judge Marullo.

Renaldo Nickles, along with his 14-year-old cousin, had been charged for 5 armed robberies in the French Quarter last April, plus 2 more on his own Uptown. The DA ultimately reduced the charges to just 4 armed robberies and Nickles bond was set at $400,000--presumably enough to keep this terror off the streets.

But in July, Marullo slashed the bond to $100,000 and by 8.21.08, Nickles had convinced a bail bondsman that he wasn't such a bad guy and the bond was posted. Nickles is out running free until at least his next court date 10.28.08.

Blame the DA for this one: A 18-year-old thug was cut loose because the DA apparently concluded shooting a boy in the back wasn't worth prosecuting.

Jernell Madison was charged only with aggravated battery for shooting the 16-year-old black boy after a fight at Canal and N. Rampart streets on 7.6.08 at about 3 a.m. The victim was with 2 black chicks and 2 black dudes, when the girls began fighting while the guys watched. Apparently the excitement became too much for Madison, who allegedly pulled out his pistol and shot the young boy.

But on 9.8.08, the DA decided to refuse to prosecute him.

Madison, after turning 17 last year, was charged with aggravated assault in September--but on the first day the new DA was in office, she dropped the charges. Then 2 weeks later he was arrested for armed robbery with a firearm. He got out of OPP on $75,000 bond in June--just in time for the shooting--and was supposed to be back in court on those charges, but now there's rumor the DA is going to refuse to prosecute him for that crime too.

Another no-show: Remember the guy who almost got blown away by his victim last April? Lucky to be alive after being shot at 4 times by his target, he's pushing his luck again.

Bruce Jones, 26, was due to stand trial last Thursday (9.11.08) for aggravated assault in the case, but failed to show up at Tulane and Broad. His bond was set at only a measly $3,000 which some unfortunate bail bondsman posted for him. (Jones has a long history with the NOPD and this is not the first time he's skipped out on a bond. Back in 2001, he ignored a $20,000 bond after pleading guilty to possession of crack cocaine.) When they catch up with again this time he'll be held without bond.

Jones was arrested 4.8.08 after he allegedly accosted a guy in the 500 block of Burgundy Street at 12:30 a.m. According to the victim, Jones "reached under his shirt and started to point a very large gun at me." The victim who had just been robbed the week before at Burgundy and Bienville streets, pulled out his Smith & Wesson .38-caliber revolver and fired 4 shots at the other gunman.

Jones fled and the victim chased him down. When police arrived, Jones was laying face down in the gutter and begging the victim not to shoot him. Police originally also charged Jones with carrying a concealed weapon, but the DA dropped that charge.

Restroom robbers go free: The 2 guys accused of robbing a guy in the john of Chris Owens Club last February have been given a free pass by the DA--after their case drug through the court for 6 months and they stewed in OPP all that time.

When the case of Donovan Rayfield (right), 22, and Ronald Wasvhington (left), 23, came up on 8.28.08, the DA decided to "nolle prosequi" (not prosecute).

They were accused of robbing a 24-year-old black man, in the restroom of Chris Owens Club, 500 Bourbon St., at 12:10 a.m. on 2.17.08. They allegedly pulled a gun on the victim and demanded his money. He gave up $200 and the robbers fled on foot down St. Louis Street where they were apprehended by police as they reached N. Rampart Street.

Others the DA let go: More cases the DA refused to prosecute after the NOPD made arrests:

• Marquis Storey, 23, simple robbery, refused 9.17.08. Storey was one of 3 men who allegedly shook down another black man on 7.5.08 after he visited a strange woman at the Astor Crown Plaza Hotel at the corner of Bourbon and Canal streets. They demanded money and the victim gave $400 to them.

• Gregory Trott, 34, burglary, refused 9.16.08. Accused of breaking into a car in the 300 block of Burgundy Street on 4.20.08 and stealing $1,439.

• Luiz Ramirez, 38, resisting an officer and aggravated battery, refused 9.9.08. Accused of stabbing a guy in Jackson Square on 6.13.08. Earlier in the year he was charged with armed robbery and aggravated battery, but the DA refused to prosecute him then too.

• Randy Cotton, 27, pursesnatching, refused 8.26.08. Occurred 6.29.08 at 3:50 a.m. in the 100 block of Bourbon Street.

• Ciera Wells, 22, aggravated assault, refused 8.18.08. Accused of pointing a pistol at a bouncer at the Fat Catz Music Club, 440 Bourbon St., on 5.15.08 after he barred her from entering.

• Kardell M. Smith, 19, aggravated assault, refused 8.4.08. Accused of pulling a gun after getting into an argument with the bouncers at Utopia Night Club, 227 Bourbon St., on 5.6.08.

4 for 4, but is it justice?: Ashley Netter, the 23-year-old Kenner chick most victims thought was a man at first, who went on a robbery rampage the first part of this year and was originally charged with 9 robberies, is going to do 4 years in prison after pleading guilty to 4 of them.

She plead guilty to the charges 8.21.08 and was sentenced to 4-year terms for each, to be served concurrently, by Criminal District Court Judge Darryl Derbigny. Better than nothing, I guess, but go back to the beginning of this story and see the sentence a white boy got for just one robbery.

Finally a conclusion: It's taken a while, but the 2 guys who robbed a woman in the Marigny Triangle over a year ago have been found guilty and are prison-bound.

Eric Gentris (left), 19, and Oneil Carter (right), 21, who robbed Aimee Stuit, 37, and Justin Dragonas in the early morning hours of 7.8.07 at Touro and Royal streets, were each found guilty of the robbery--in rare jury trials, each held separately, after the charges were reduced from armed robbery to first degree robbery.

Gentris, the gunman in the robbery, was found guilty by a jury last December and was sentenced by Judge Marullo to 7 years in prison "without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence." (And the judge also advised the defendant "get a G.E.D., a pair of eyeglasses, and medical treatment for asthma.")

Carter, who drove the getaway car, was found guilty by a jury 8.27.08 and is due to be sentenced 10.1.08 by Judge Marullo.

Remember this guy?: He's the guy who fought the law and the law apparently won, judging by his booking photo. When they hauled in Howard Fleming, 27, after arresting him at Chartres Street and Elysian Fields Avenue on 5.16.08 he wound up with 7 charges against him:

• possession with intent to distribute Ecstasy,
• possession with intent to distribute marijuana,
• attempted escape,
• resisting arrest,
• flight from an officer,
• assault on a police officer,
• criminal damage.

His total bond on all the charges was $71,500, but Judge Marullo released him 7.24.08 on his own recognizance.

When all was said and done, Fleming pled guilty 8.28.08 to 5 charges, some of them reduced from more serious crimes, and Judge Marullo sentenced him to 60 days on each charge, all to run concurrently, and with credit for time served--which means Fleming is once again out and about.

Guilty, but what the hell: Then there are those who plead guilty to crimes, who are sentenced, then the sentence is suspended so they walk free. Not much of a deterrent to crime, if you ask me:

• Kevin Earin, 46, arrested 5.13.08 for burglarizing The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton on Canal Street. Pled guilty as charged 8.21.08 before Judge Lynda Van Davis, who sentenced him to 3 years, suspended the sentence and put him on active probation.

• Bill Amos, 54, arrested 3.23.08 for attempted armed robbery after he pulled a knife on a resident standing in front of his house in the 300 block of Burgundy Street. Pled guilty as charged 8.8.08 before Judge Ben Willard, who sentenced him to 5 years, suspended it, and put him on probation with the provision he be assigned to the mental health court.

• Daniel Lumas, 28, and Frank Rulh, 23, arrested 2.4.08 for attempted armed robbery outside the Verti-Mart at Royal and Gov. Nicholls streets. The attempted armed robbery charge was reduced to attempted simple robbery for both defendants to which they both pled guilty. Lumas also pled guilty to simple robbery.

Judge Ben Willard sentenced Lumas to 7 years for the robbery and 3 years and 6 months for the attempted robbery; Rulh was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months for the charge against him. All sentences were suspended and the defendants put on probation.

* * *

As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome at NOcrimeline@gmail.com.

Thom Kahler

Back to normal

Of course, that means armed robberies abound again in most of the city since Gustav. Maybe the miscreants are supplementing their income while waiting for FEMA to feed them. The French Quarter endured only a couple robberies, as if that's a lot of consolation. But a strange phenomena in the Quarter: Of the 4 crimes over the weekend we heard about, no guns were used; but 2 broken bottles and a board were.

One robbery or two?: A NOcrimeline reader reported a friend of his, out celebrating his 30th birthday, was robbed Saturday night as he was walking down Dauphine Street and turning onto St. Ann Street, where he was slammed in the face with a wooden board by his attacker.

"He immediately fell to the ground and was unconscious," said the reporter. "The bartenders from Good Friends bar (740 Dauphine St.) screamed to the attacker, who grabbed the cash from his wallet and then dropped it to the ground on top of my friend's unconscious body." The robber got away with about $50. The victim, who was hauled off in an ambulance for stitches to his face, was in no condition to describe his attacker.

When we asked the 8th District NOPD about this incident, we were told it occurred Sunday (9.14.08) morning (not Saturday night) about 2:33 a.m., that it was in the 900 block of Dauphine (between St. Philip and Dumaine streets), and that the victim was robbed of $300.

Although our reporter said his friend was unable to describe his assailant, the NOPD report said the robber was a black man, 5'8" tall, with gold teeth, a dark complexion and short hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark pants. The report said he struck his victim (but no mention of a weapon was noted) and escaped in a gold Ford Explorer.

Same incident? Maybe so. But all the discrepancies make you wonder. That's what happens when information provided in the police reports is so scant.

"I've got a bottle and I know how to use it": A black guy armed with a broken beer bottle went into Adult Video at 425 Bourbon St. on Sunday (9.14.08) at about 1:35 a.m. and demanded money from the black clerk working behind the counter. The clerk opened the cash register and the robber took an untold amount of money and fled on foot from the store.

A short time later, police arrested Lance Johnson, 20, 5'7" tall, weighing 155 pounds and charged him with armed robbery. He is being held in OPP on $100,000 bond.

Another bottle, another crime: A black couple got into an argument at the corner of Bourbon and St. Louis streets last evening (9.14.08) at 6:34 p.m. and the girl allegedly picked up a broken bottle and cut the 20-year-old guy described as her boyfriend in the back. She fled on foot but was apprehended a block away by Ofc. Keith Ambrose, of the Bourbon Street Promenade.

Arrested was Melanie R. White, 17, whose last know address is 611 N. Rampart St. She was charged with aggravated battery and her bond originally set at $25,000.

But Criminal District Court Judge Raymond C. Bigelow released her on her own recognizance and confined her to her home with an ankle bracelet. He also issued a protective order, presumably against her presumed boyfriend. She was already out on bond on a charge of soliciting a crime against nature.

Is that all there is?: This was the first report of crime from the 8th District in 6 days. It covered only crimes occurring on Sunday (9.14.08). Does that mean no crimes--absolutely none--occurred since last Tuesday (9.9.08) when the 8th District sent out a report?

Hard to believe. It would be nice if it were true. It would be nicer still if we knew what was happening so we could take precautions to avoid becoming victims.

* * *

As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome at NOcrimeline@gmail.com.

Thom Kahler

After the storm

ZERO looting in the French Quarter: While other areas of the city have had random acts of looting since Gustav, Maj. Edwin Hosli, commander of the police district that encompasses the French Quarter, CBD, and Marigny Triangle, told NOcrimeline: "As of this date (9.8.08), we have had zero (0) reports of looting in the 8th District.

"I suppose that could change, but I assume that the majority of residents and business owners have returned to the 8th District, and it would have been reported by now."

He added, "Officers assigned to the 8th District never came off the street. We continued to patrol the 8th District while the storm was making land fall. We have not stopped patrolling.

"Once the storm passed and the winds returned to a safe speed, units from other divisions sent additional patrols to assist us.

"The officers assigned to the 8th District went into an anti-looting mode as the storm was upon us and remain in that mode."

(Anti-looting mode is patroling the neighborhood by sectors, with each car's overhead blue lights flashing. It's obviously been effective, and some residents wonder why the police can't do this all the time. Good question.)

During the past week, from 8.31.08 to 9.6.08, the 8th District did not have a single "person" crime (armed robbery, assault, shooting, etc.).

Hats off to Maj. Hosli and his troops. Now if they could just replicate that 365 days a year.

Kudos for Riley: We heard that Chief Warren Riley posted 3-man detachments of cops at each grocery store and drug store in the city. No matter who might have planned the strategy, it's a good one.

The same goes for anti-looting scheme of sending cars with flashing lights out to patrol sector by sector and for giving extended leave to officers who endured Katrina and might not psychologically be able to stand up to another storm.

Those and other efforts prevented a repeat of the meltdown that occurred 3 years ago. Riley should be given credit for being on top of the problem this time.

Temper, temper: Maybe it was the stress of the storm, but a number of incidents seemed to involve people just loosing their cool, often becoming aggravated with someone they knew:

• Aggravated battery, Sunday (9.7.08), 1:16 a.m.: Witnesses reported they saw a white man get into an argument with a passing motorist, who stopped and got out of his car. (The 8th District police report doesn't say where this happened.) The 2 then began fighting and the motorist, a 34-year-old black man, pulled a knife and stabbed the victim in the leg.

The assailant fled but was apprehended a short time later and identified as Davidson Lomtex. He was charged with aggravated battery and his bond set at $50,000, which he managed to post and skip free before the sheriff had a chance to snap his picture.

• Aggravated assault, Sunday (9.7.08), 4 p.m.: A white woman got into an argument with a male acquaintance at the corner of O'Keefe Avenue and Poydras Street. The man got in his car and pulled out a pistol, pointing it at the woman before fleeing in the car.

An arrest warrant for aggravated assault has been issued for Daniel Ritter, 34, a white male, 6'1" tall, weighing 210 pounds.

• Aggravated assault, Tuesday (9.9.08), 6:40 p.m.: 2 black women where standing in the 900 block of Conti Street (between Dauphine and Burgundy streets) when they were approached by another black woman they knew. Their "friend" pulled a gun, sending the 2 women scurrying up Conti toward N. Rampart Street.

The gun-toting friend circled the block in her car, approaching the women again at Conti and Burgundy, where she fired a shot before speeding off.

An arrest warrant for aggravated assault has been issued for Tesa McNickles, 23, a black female, 5' tall, weighing 120 pounds.

Bad guys are back too: In broad daylight on Tuesday (9.9.08) at 1:27 p.m., 2 white guys were robbed in the 200 block of S. Robertson Street (between Cleveland and Tulane avenues) by a black dude who came up and pointed a pistol at them, demanding money. The victims complied and the robber fled toward Canal Street.

The police apprehended Douglas Roach, 21, 5'10" tall, weighing 150 pounds, who was armed with a gun. He was charged with armed robbery and his bond set at $200,000, perhaps to make sure he shows up for court this time.

Last year when he was arrested for fleeing from a police officer and carrying a concealed weapon, he kept missing court dates even though his bond kept increasing, from $4,500 to $10,000 to $25,000, all of which he forfeited.

Bad guests: When evacuees behave elsewhere like they do in New Orleans, it doesn't always sit well. One NOcrimeline reader who lives in Sumiton, Alabama reported on the 300 NOLA guests his city hosted at Bevill State Community College.

"We had 4 arrests. Many had to be transported to local hospitals with severe drug withdrawals. Shoplifting at our local Wal-Mart was reported, and now there is a report of a rape at a Wallace State Community College near us. Drugs and other illegal paraphernalia was found in the shelter after the buses departed."

I guess that's what Mayor Nagin would call "keeping the brand alive." And importing it where ever our people go.

* * *

As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome at NOcrimeline@gmail.com.

Thom Kahler

While you were away

Tourists terrified: We haven't heard a response yet from Councilman James Carter to one of the hotel industry's major movers-and-shakers who warned a couple of weeks ago that crime in the French Quarter was crippling tourism in New Orleans.

But we have heard from a couple of tourist who have been hobbled by what they've read.

One potential visitor from Ohio pleaded with tourism officials here to "convince me that it's safe" to come to New Orleans.

The woman, who had to cancel a planned visit here because of Katrina, says, "I noted the news about crime on your website and told them that I want to go on vacation but don't want to become one of your statistics or become a victim of robbery or worse."

Another tourist wrote: "I have visited New Orleans frequently in the past and in April after Katrina when crime was low. My husband and I visited again in April of the next year and were shocked at the difference.

"We were really afraid to walk in the Quarter. Instead we took taxis to Frenchman Street. I was disappointed at having to do this because I love to wander in the Quarter and browse in the shops. Bourbon Street, while always dicey, was really different and the bars were all modern with none of the jazz and blues that you would expect.

"I am sorry for the way the Quarter is now. I really miss it. If we return to Louisiana we will probably not go to New Orleans at all. Right now we plan to visit either Memphis or Savannah. I hope the crime will calm down and we can come back soon."

The city's crime problem is very real to outsiders, and nearly as confusing to those of us who live here. The truth is: If the NOPD would level with the residents of the city--and tourists who want to visit here--all of us would have a realistic notion of just how bad crime is--or isn't.

But when the NOPD stifles efforts by its district commanders to be candid about the full range of crimes occurring, when the NOPD hierarchy fudges the figures and downgrades crimes to make them seem less significant, then you have a muddled view of the milieu we live in.

Even lawmen not immune from crime: A federal Drug Enforcement Administration agent attending an anti-crime conference in New Orleans was beaten to death and robbed before the storm.

About 1:20 a.m. on 8.28.08, Thomas Byrne, 40, from the Dallas area, was found by a passerby on Elysian Fields Avenue near the I-610/I-10 overpass. He was taken to the hospital where he died 8.30.08.

He had last been seen walking to his hotel in the CBD and police theorize he was abducted and dumped on the road.

The NOPD arrested Joseph Miller (left), 50, and Ameal Parker (right), 46, later on 8.28.08 and booked them with possession of stolen property and access device fraud after they allegedly used Byrne's credit cards. Each is being held in OPP on $275,000 bond.

Head to head: Councilwoman Stacey Head ripped Big Chief Warren Riley a new one a couple of weeks ago at a city council meeting while questioning him on the NOPD's policy of downgrading crimes so they don't seem so bad.

She brought up the recent case in the French Quarter where a gunman pumped his victim full of bullets but was only charged with "aggravated assault."

Riley defended the decision not to charge the gunman with "attempted murder" and that it was up to the District Attorney to increase the charge if he thought it was merited. And, refuting Head's charge that this skewed statistics, Riley claims both are classified as "assaults".

(Talk about being soft on crime. By Riley's standards the criminal would be out of prison in no time. If convicted of "aggravated battery" the MAXIMUM penalty is 10 years in prison. If convicted of "attempted murder" the MINIMUM sentence is 10 years, and up to 50 years.)

But a former NOPD officer says of Riley's claims: "That's B.S.!"

"You are taught in as early training as the academy to ALWAYS charge with the greatest charge that fits the circumstances of the crime. Down grading is the job of the DA, not the police. Then to say that both crimes fall under the heading of 'assault' is just ignorant for a cop to say."

He goes on to explain the difference:

"The definition of 'assault' is the attempt to commit a battery. If I were to swing at you in an attempt to punch you, and you ducked and I missed, then I assaulted you (attempt). If I hit you, then I have committed a battery.

"If I shoot at you and I miss, then I am guilty of 'aggravated assault' (assault with a weapon). If I am angry at you and purposely shoot you in the leg in an attempt to hurt you, but not kill you (very rare), then I am guilty of 'aggravated battery.'

"If I drive up to your car and spray 30 rounds at your car, and only manage to hit you in the leg, it is pretty clear I have attempted to kill you and just didn't succeed; the severity of the injury is of no relevance. (This would be 'attempted murder.')

"Any basic academy graduate should know this." So why doesn't Riley, is the question.

Pre-storm crime: It may be relatively quiet now, but before the storm, these crooks got their licks in:

• Armed robbery, 8.22.08, 7:45 p.m.: A white man walking on Bienville Street near Clinton Street was approached by a black guy armed with a pistol who demanded his money. The victim complied and the robber fled to N. Peters Street and up to Canal Street.

The thief was described as 20 to 25 years old, 5'10" tall, weighing 170 pounds, with a dark complexion and chin-length dreadlocks, wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

• Aggravated battery, 8.22.08, 5:30 a.m.: A black guy tried to break up a fight between a black couple fighting on Bourbon Street near Conti Street when he was slashed on his arm by the woman. The victim was treated at the hospital and released while the unhappy couple fled the scene.

The weapon-wielding woman was described as being in her mid-20's, 5'11", slim build, light complexion, wearing a pink tank top.

• Simple robbery, 8.25.08, 2:41 a.m.: A pair of women, one Hispanic and the other black, were standing near the intersection of Dauphine and Conti streets when they were accosted by 3 black thugs who punched both women and took one of woman's purse.

They fled on Dauphine to Bienville Street, then toward N. Rampart Street and were apprehended a short time later by the NOPD. Arrested and charged with simple robbery were:

• Cornelius Battle (left), 24, 5'7" tall, 130 pounds;
• Michael Frank (middle), 23, 5'5" tall, 245 pounds;
• Arnold James (right), 26, 6'5" tall, 214 pounds, also charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

• Aggravated assault, 8.29.08, 5 a.m.: A white man got into an argument with a Hispanic guy in the 900 block of Bienville Street. The Hispanic pulled out a pistol and pointed it at the victim; then the Hispanic handed the gun to another white guy who pointed it at the victim.

Both perps then fled on foot with the victim in pursuit until the police ultimately arrested:

• Humberto Castillo, 27, the Hispanic male, charged with aggravated assault and carrying a concealed weapon;

• Brandon Gautier, 25, the white male, charged with aggravated assault.

Both were long gone from the hoosegow by the time the NOPD released this report

Drug wrecking crew: Ofc. Billy Tregle and his patrol partner Ofc. Brandon Ludwig made no less than 9 arrests for narcotics violations from the middle of July to 8.25.08. Other officers have made drug arrests, but Tregle and Ludwig have hauled in the bulk of the druggies.

No word yet whether officers have busted up that crackhouse neighbors allege is operating on Bourbon Street near Gov. Nicholls Street.

Be on the lookout for: The NOPD has released an artist's sketch of a possible suspect in the slaying of Jessica Hawk in early August in the Bywater area.

The suspect, who is wanted for questioning, is described as a clean-cut white male, 25 to 35 years old, 6' tall, weighing 170 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black crew neck jersey with elbow-length sleeves over a white shirt with 3" white cuffs.

Hawk's nude body was found the morning of 8.11.08 in her home at 3013 Chartres St. propped up with multiple stab wounds.

If you have any information on the crime or the whereabouts of this suspect, you are asked to call NOPD homicide detectives at 658-5300 or CrimeStoppers at 822-1111.

* * *

As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome at NOcrimeline@gmail.com.

Thom Kahler

Special GUSTAV report

Safe so far in the French Quarter: As the French Quarter leads the city in bouncing back from the menace of Herr Gustav, no particular problems have been reported in the heard of the heart of New Orleans.

Maj. Edwin Hosli, commander of the NOPD 8th District, which encompasses the Quarter, told NOcrimeline, "We have had no problems--my officers never stopped patrolling during the storm."

To combat the threat of looting, "We have cars assigned to sectors riding with their overhead lights on," he said. "We also are working in conjunction with the Louisiana National Guard."

Looters arrested: Reports of looting keep coming in, mostly from the most already-desolate areas of the city: the East, Lakeview, and Gentilly.

• Wednesday (9.3.08), the NOPD made 9 arrests for looting, 3 for kicking in doors in New Orleans East, 1 for a home entry in Lakeview, and 5 for breaking into a grocery store in Mid-City.

• Thursday (9.4.08), 63 burglaries were reported, including 2 of businesses; there were 14 arrests for looting.

There were no reports of any of the looters boarding Mayor Ray Nagin's bus bound directly for Angola that wouldn't go past OPP for booking. Those charged with looting--breaking into a dwelling or business during a disaster--face no less than 3 years in prison and up to 15 years of hard time; normally, burglary is a 6-year maximum term.

Power to the people: Electricity is reported restored to all parts of the French Quarter and Marigny Triangle, though rumors speak of isolated outages.

Entergy claims 90% of the city will have service by Saturday evening (9.6.08) and that the remainder will have power by Monday (9.8.08).

Bundled or bungled? Cox Communications is vague about where its service is available and isn't.

Some residents of the Quarter report having cable and internet service, and others say they have none, or it has been intermittent.

Imagine what it would be like if you ALL of your communication services bundled with Cox!

Rest of the story: The status of other services in the city:

• Grocery stores: Rouses reported that most stores in the New Orleans area are open, including Royal Street in the Quarter. All Winn-Dixies in the city are open. Whole Foods on Magazine Street reopens today.
  

• Gas stations: Most gas stations appear to be open. The state has a list at this site that is updated daily.
  

• Restaurants: Most restaurants are reported open already. Harrah's Casino is due to open at 6 p.m. today.

• Bars: Johnny White's Sports Bar and Molly's at the Market never closed, of course; Tujague's is open again with fine Szaracs.
  

• Water: Running and safe to drink.

• Trash pick-up: Sidney Torres and his crews got right to work on Monday (9.1.08) to clean up the Quarter.
  

• Mail: Delivery resumed Thursday (9.4.08).

• Hospitals: All hospitals and emergency rooms in Orleans Parish are open.

• Cellphones: AT&T reports all towers are back up and operational; other companies have not reported.

• Traffic signals: 250 of 450 in city reported working.

• Bridges: The St. Claude Avenue bridge is the only one functional to cross the Industrial Canal.

• Airport: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International is open and operational.

• City Hall: Mayor Nagin closed city hall Thursday and Friday--his way, I guess, of saying "mission accomplished."
  

Reporting problems: The 311 call center is operating 24 hours a day from an emergency location in San Antonio.

Call 311 or toll-free 866-205-6485 to report downed trees, traffic signals not working, missing or damaged street signs, etc. Then wait for the ennui to begin.

Speaking of problems: The bus people are due to begin returning to the city today. Think 1,400 NOPD officers on 12-hours shifts and 1,500 National Guardsmen will be enough?

What else? If there's other information that's vital to your return home, please let me know and we'll try to find out. If you know of other closings or openings, or service restored or still out, please report it to NOcrimeline@gmail.com.

* * *

As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome at NOcrimeline@gmail.com.

Thom Kahler