Hot corner: All of a sudden, N. Rampart Street has become the place NOT to be:
- Armed robbery: Early Sunday (3.15
.09) morning around 4 a.m. 2 white men walking near Canal and N. Rampart streets were approached from behind by 2 black guys who stuck what felt like a gun in their backs and lifted the victims' wallets. The thieves fled down Canal on foot and turned on Bourbon Street into the French Quarter.
Police later apprehended one of the suspected robbers, Craig Ferdinand, 24, and charged him with 2 counts of 1st-degree robbery and 2 counts of simple battery. He is in OPP on $170,000 bond.
- Armed robbery: A white man walking in the 1000 block of Dumaine Street (between Burgundy and N. Rampart streets) on Friday (3.13.09) around 11:10 p.m. was robbed by a black man with a gun. The robber fled on foot toward N. Rampart and turned toward Canal Street.
He was described as in his 20's, 5'10" tall, weighing 150 pounds, clean shaven with a dark complexion, wearing a black button-up shirt with only the top button buttoned, a white undershirt, blue jeans, and a blue bandanna with a black cap.
- Pursesnatching: A white woman and a friend were waiting for a cab at the corner of Canal and N. Rampart streets on Saturday (3.14.09) at 5 a.m. when a white Ford pick-up truck pulled up next to them. A black man inside rolled down the window and asked if the women needed a ride. One of the women approached the truck, then noticed the cab they'd called was there, but as she turned to go the guy in the truck reached through the window and grabbed the woman's purse. He took off in the truck on Iberville Street, then down Burgundy Street.
The vehicle was described as a white Ford double cab pick-up with tinted windows. The robber was described as 20 to 30 years old, a light complexion, with thin facial hair around his jaw, wearing a white T-shirt and a blue fitted cap.
- Pursesnatching: On Saturday or Sunday (the police report listed it as "Sunday, March 14"--Saturday was the 14th, Sunday was the 15th) a white couple were standing in the 1000 block of Toulouse Street (between Burgundy and N. Rampart streets) around 11:31 p.m. when a black chick came up and grabbed the woman's purse off her shoulder and fled on Toulouse toward N. Rampart. The husband pursued the thief, who dropped the purse before reaching N. Rampart.
The robber was described as 18 to 25 years old, 5'4" tall, weighing 100 pounds, and wearing all black clothing.
Bruhaha on Bourbon: After an argument early Sunday (3.15.09) morni
ng around 1 a.
m. with the doormen at Temptations Gentlemen's Club, 327 Bourbon St. (between Bienville and Conti streets), 2 white guys were arrested.Charged with 2 counts each of aggravated battery were Dennis Losauro (left), 35, and Harold Vogel (right), 40.
During the argument, a steel baton came into play. But the police report says one of "the doormen produced an expandable baton and struck the victims with the baton." There is a court hearing Tuesday (3.17.09) to determine who pulled the baton and who the victims are.
Don't forget: The "Buffa's Bunch" (more formally known as Lower Quarter Citizens Against Crime) will meet Saturday (3.21.09) at noon at Buffa's Lounge at Esplanade Avenue and Burgundy Street.
Chief Warren Riley and other ranking NOPD officers are expected to attend.
On tap is a continuing discussion of citizens' action to reduce or prevent crime in the Lower French Quarter, a review of the patrol strategy changes implemented by the 8th District, and feedback from the community on efforts so far. Also on the agenda is continued organizational activities aimed at creating an effective Lower Quarter Neighborhood Watch.
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As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome at NOcrimeline@gmail.comThom Kahler
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