Now this is serious

Too close for comfort: It's amazing how a crime can occur right under your nose and you don't see or hear a thing.

While we were sitting watching the late news after the football game Monday (11.16.09) night, 2 white guys were robbed just outside our Bourbon Street windows by some black punk--and yet we were totally unaware of the incident until we read the police report 2 days later. This is one time where the patrol cars with blue lights flashing--which we've seen a lot of lately--didn't get the job done.

The robbery occurred at 11:15 p.m. in the 1300 block of Bourbon Street when the thug pulled a pistol and demanded the victims' money, which they surrendered. The robber hopped into a car parked on Esplanade Avenue which then sped off, turning on Chartres Street through the Marigny Triangle. The vehicle was described only as tan in color. Police are looking for video surveillance tapes in the area which might have recorded the incident.

The perp was described as 20 to 25 years old, 5'8" tall, weighing 150 pounds with a thin build, dark complexion, and wearing a black hoodie and blue jeans.

Wondering if victims raising a ruckus while being robbed might help, Maj. Edwin Hosli, commander of the 8th District, advised against it: "Once the perpetrator leaves and the victim is no longer in immediate danger, they can yell or do anything they can to get attention. If someone is pointing a gun at you, I would not suggest screaming; the property taken is not worth a life."

Each case is different. There have been cases where the victims essentially told would-be robbers to go to hell and they did. But I remember one case from a few years back (at Barracks and Burgundy streets, I believe) where the wife and daughter of a guy being robbed start screaming, so the nervous robber gut shot the man several times.

So judge the situation wisely. As much as I would like to see a few victims blow away a few bad guys to send a message, if you're armed, don't try to cowboy it and think you can outdraw a guy who's high on drugs and is already pointing his piece at you.

As for me, I'm tired of this crap. If I see a black guy wearing a hoodie slinking through the neighborhood (and he's not wearing a McDonogh 15 uniform), I'm calling the cops.

The 911 operator will ask you if they're armed; I'll tell her I don't know, but I think they might be. Let the cops sort it out.

Remember, the cops can't stop suspicious characters without cause for fear of profiling, but you can create the cause by calling 911.

More robberies: Not many, but even one is too damn many in the French Quarter:

• Friday (11.13.09) 10:12 p.m.: A white woman walking in the 700 block of Bourbon Street (between Orleans Avenue and St. Ann Street) had her cellphone snatched from her grasp by a black guy who fled on St. Ann toward N. Rampart Street.

He was described as in his 30's, 5'9" tall, weighing 160 pounds, wearing a gray sweater and gray pants.

• Saturday (11.14.09) 3:30 a.m.: A white man walking in the 300 block of Burgundy Street (between Bienville and Conti streets) was robbed by 2 black boys armed with pistols. They fled on foot on Bienville toward N. Rampart Street.

They were described as 16 to 18 years old, one 5'11" tall, weighing 150 pounds, with short hair and a brown complexion, wearing a dark hoodie; the other 5'8" tall, weighing 140 pounds, short hair and a brown complexion, wearing a navy blue fleece jacket.

Again, it begs the question of why officers on patrol didn't notice these young punks roaming the French Quarter at that hour and pick them up on curfew violations?

• Saturday (11.14.09) 9:06 p.m.: Police arrested Brian Thompson, 47, when he attempted to flee after allegedly grabbing money from the hand of a white guy in the 800 block of Iberville Street (between Bourbon and Dauphine streets).

He was charged with simple battery and simple robbery and is in OPP on $30,000 bond.

But who's going to be police chief?: Now that the mayoral candidates are coming out of the woodwork, it's time to start asking each of them who they will appoint as police superintendent.

Since Big Chief Riley has said he will leave the post (yaaay!) the day Mayor Nagin does when the new mayor is sworn in, it's a decision that will need to be made as soon as we have a real mayor.

Ask the candidates and demand an answer. Don't be blown off by the old bromide "We'll conduct a search for the best possible person." That's hogwash--if they don't know who they'll name, they haven't thought about the crime problem enough.

I'd be more inclined to vote for a candidate based on who he favors for police chief than what he says he'll do for the city. After all, we got by for 8 years without a mayor who could carry his weight, but if we're going to make the city safe again, we need a dynamic police chief.

The mayoral candidates should be familiar with the names of:

• Ronnie Serpas, former NOPD chief of operations and now chief of police in Nashville;
• Cathy Lanier, one tough cop who's chief of the Washington, D.C. police department;
• Edward A. Flynn, who's made a dent in Milwaukee's crime as chief there;
• James Bernazzani, hard-nosed former head of the FBI here who cares greatly for the city;
• NOPD possibilities: They should be well acquainted with Marlon Defillo, Jeff Winn, and Louis Dabdoub.

Here are the candidates' email addresses or webpages (you'll have to look for links there to query the candidate--some have them, some don't)--pester them until you get answer that has a first name and last name:

• Rob Couhig: http://couhig2010.com
  
• John Georges: http://georgesformayor.com
• Troy Henry: www.troyhenry.com
• Leslie Jacobs: info@lesliejacobsformayor.com
• Ed Murray: talktome@edmurrayformayor.com
  
• James Perry: www.jamesperry2010.com
• Nadine Ramsey: http://nadineramsey.net

Invest some time in this--and if you like the candidate's answer, send them a few bucks for their campaign. We certainly don't want to go another 8 years with crime on a rampage and incompetent leadership that will ignore it.

Speaking of Riley leaving: Do you think he'll give us an "honorable explanation" of what happened to that $19,000 (and maybe millions) that disappeared from the NOPD's evidence room. We're still waiting to hear from Dollar Bill Jefferson about his cold, hard cash.

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

Thom Kahler

Pursesnatcher a murderer?

We warned you: There's no such thing as a "minor" crime. Remember when we told you about a couple of black boys who invaded the French Quarter and attacked an Asian woman, taking her wallet in the middle of the afternoon on Toulouse Street back in early September?

8th District cops almost immediately nabbed Steve Hollins (top), 18, and Darrien Johnson (below), 17, and charged both with pursesnatching. But these weren't just bad boys on a lark. Hollins was wearing an ankle bracelet to monitor his movements after Magistrate Gerard Hansen let him out after he was arrested in April for "unauthorized use of a moveable" (read "auto theft") and illegal possession of a stolen auto. (The DA later refused to prosecute him on either charge.)

Hollins was probably wearing that ankle monitor when he and 2 accomplices allegedly gunned down 2 teenage black boys in New Orleans East in August--almost exactly one month before the pursesnatching escapade in the Quarter.

In that shootout in the late afternoon, a 13-year-old boy was shot in the back and a 16-year-old boy was shot in the leg, both left lying in the street to die. Neighbors called EMS and both were taken by ambulance to the hospital. Their current condition is unknown, but they must have survived--charges against their alleged assailants is attempted first-degree murder.

But the arrest on the pursesnatching charge was apparently the link that led to the arrest of the suspected shootes. After Hollins was locked up on the pursesnatching charge on 9.8.09, his buddy Jereamy Hills (right), 18, was locked up for attempted murder 2 days later. Hollins was charged on 9.13.09. The third suspect, Denzel Dimes (left), only 15 but being tried as an adult, was booked 10.30.09.

Each was charged with 2 counts of attempted first-degree murder and are being held in OPP on $250,000 bond each.

They're mobile, they're armed, and they're dangerous--and they don't belong in the French Quarter.

Blue lights thwarting crime?: Since the 12-hour mandatory shifts for patrol officers ended a couple of weeks ago, I've noticed more cop cars patrolling the Quarter with blue light flashing than ever before. Still, there have been a few robberies:

• Thursday (10.29.09) 11 p.m.: A white woman walking near Bienville and Royal streets was grabbed from behind by 2 black guys. They stuck something in her back and demanded her purse. She gave it up and they fled on foot.

Apparently it was no big deal to her--she didn't report it until 4 days later. And then the only description she could give of the robbers: They were wearing baseball caps.

• Tuesday (11.3.09) 12:45 a.m.: A Hispanic man walking near Bienville and N. Rampart streets was accosted by 2 black dudes who snatched a gold chain from the victim's neck. They fled in a dark-colored Chevy Trailblazer on Bienville toward N. Rampart.

The robbers were both described as 21 to 25 years old, 5'8" tall, weighing 140 pounds, with ear-length dreadlocks, wearing white T-shirts and blue jeans.

• Sunday (11.8.09) 1:30 a.m.: A lone black gunman held up 3 white men and a white woman walking in the 800 block of Gov. Nicholls Street (between Bourbon and Dauphine streets--not far from where a bartender was murdered in January). His gun did the talking and they gave up the money he demanded before they fled toward Bourbon Street.

The robber was described as 25 to 30 years old, 6' tall, weighing 185 pounds, with a medium complexion and hair in short twists, and wearing a dark gray sweatshirt and blue jeans.

• Thursday (11.12.09) 9:55 p.m.: A white guy using the restroom at McDonald's in the 700 block of Canal Street was accosted by a black guy who demanded money. When the victim refused, the attacker allegedly tried to choke him before fleeing. Officers who responded to the call arrested Lionel Foster, 39, and charged him with attempted simple robbery and simple battery.
  

More to this than we thought: It still seems strange someone could be attacked in Harrah's Casino, but it was more serious than first thought.

On 10.24.09, a fat black woman came up behind an Asian woman playing video poker around 11 p.m. and pulled out a multi-purpose tool with a blade and demanded the woman's money. A struggle ensued and as the 2 crashed to the floor, the victim was cut on her neck and had to be transported to University Hospital.

The casino's surveillance cameras helped 8th District detectives identify a suspect, whose picture is being shown in a photo line-up to witnesses. She was described as being 5'8" tall and weighing 250 pounds, wearing a green and black shirt, a black jacket and black jeans.

When she is arrested, she will be charged with attempted armed robbery and attempted murder.

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

Thom Kahler

(Some) order in the court

Cannizzaro caves in: Despite hopes to the contrary, District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro appears to be kowtowing to the rich and powerful. He's decided that hitting someone so hard it puts them in a coma is no worse than jaywalking or spitting on the street.

He's decided Brett Lawson, aide to a Jefferson Parish councilman and son of the Gretna police chief, will only be charged with a municipal misdemeanor of simple battery, instead of a felony.

According to 8th District cops, Lawson punched Jaret Graham, 21, in the head in the 700 block of Canal Street around 3 a.m. on 8.22.09. When police found Graham, he was laying in a pool of blood. He spent 8 days in the hospital, 4 of them in a coma.

But the DA's flak says, "After conducting an extensive and thorough review of all of the evidence in this case--some of which is not available to the public..." that Cannizzaro agrees it's only a case of misdemeanor battery. This from a guy who promised to be tough on crime? And what's this crap about evidence "which is not available to the public"? This was the guy who was going to be so transparent--apparently that's a warning meaning "I'm going to lie to you."

Lawson's attorney says Graham, who was in town from Texas for a bachelor's party, was "drunk out of his mind" and surveillance tapes showed him "grabbing and inappropriately touching 2 girls" who were with Lawson. There was no indication Graham left the girls comatose, however.

So now we've got Cannizzaro on something less than a white horse, wearing less than a white hat. Let's hope he can find someway to redeem himself in the eyes of the public which put so much hope in him.

Oops, wrong guys: Cannizzaro also refused--without explanation--to prosecute the guys cops were sure held up Buffa's Bar & Lounge and St. Charles Bar & Billiards this summer:

• Buffa's: Darwin Hunter, 27, turned himself into 8th District NOPD headquarters on 8.5.09 after a warrant was issued for his arrest in the armed robbery of the bar at Esplanade Avenue and Burgundy Street on 7.31.09. The warrant was based on a photo line-up Det. Willie Jenkins showed to people at the bar.

Hunter, who has a long criminal history is a pretty distinctive dude, what with the tattooed cross on the bridge of his nose; whether patrons of a dimly lit bar are the best observers is debatable.

But because they "positively identified" him, Hunter sat in OPP on $160,000 bond for nearly 3 months before being released.

• St. Charles Bar: Travis Chapuis, 24, was arrested by 8th District Det. Maggie Darling for a robbery at the bar at 736 St. Charles Ave. on 8.5.09, the second robbery there in a month.

There's no indication what led the detective to Chapuis, but it wasn't good enough for the DA. But Chapuis spent over 2 months locked up in OPP on the charge, in lieu of a $150,000 bond.

Here's how Chapuis describes his ordeal, in his own words: "Hi an hello this is Travis Chapuis the acused robber of the 736 St. Charles bar &tavern it is ashame that the police and the juges are not doing there job putting inocent people behind bars with no hard evidence so that means I could call the police and tell them that somebody robbed me at gun point an I just pick somebody I dont kie an they will have to spend 60/120 day or longer depending on if there convicted or not this does not seem like justice it seems like you put a blind fold around my eyes and shot me in the chest my face an name is all over the computer saying I did something I didn't do I've been cleared of all charges why havent ya'll put that in your little story I would rather you asked me my side of what happend and what I went through during the time I spent in jail there or so many people in jail for things they didn't do but there is no justice for them I met a lot of people during my time in jail some guilty some inocent how would you feel if someone said you did something you didn't do an you had to sit in jail for it what would your reaction be I lost time with my family my children have grown so much Ihave missed so much that I cant get back an no one can make that right the system is rey screwd up please post a new comment that I have been cleared of all charges."

Others let go: Cannizzaro has been better about it than his predecessors, but he still occasionally nolle prosses some cases, or just flat out refuses to prosecute them. It would be nice if there was some explanation of why:

• Pursesnatching against Lenard Legania, 24, was nolle prossed 10.13.09. Legania was accused of being one of 3 black guys who robbed another black man of his coin purse as he sat on his stoop at St. Ann and Dauphine streets late last year.

• Aggravated battery against Shonede Kornbacher, 38, was nolle prossed 10.27.09. He was accused of going after a "friend" who was walking in the 600 block of N. Rampart Street in May with a baseball bat. When the friend disarmed him of the bat, Kornbacher allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed his friend.

• Charges of aggravated assault, extortion and criminal damage of property against Joseph K. Allen, 43, were refused on 10.22.09. Hard to tell what this case was really about, but the police report said the victim was walking near St. Ann and Bourbon streets early one morning in May when he bumped into Allen, a stranger. They got into an argument and Allen allegedly pulled a knife and pointed it toward the victim in a threatening manner. The victim fled but Allen allegedly chased him down--until the police caught Allen.
  

Others guilty as charged, or nearly so: Most of the convictions come from defendants pleading guilty to the charge against them--often after it has been reduced to something less severe:

• Joseph A. Davis, 18, had several run-ins with the law in the last 6 months, but has managed to elude serious jail time.

He allegedly grabbed money from a customer in a business in the 500 block of Bourbon Street on 5.24.09. Then on 5.29.09 he was the guy who allegedly grabbed a cellphone from a tourist snapping pictures with it in the 600 block of Bourbon Street. Another incident on 8.8.09, for which there are no details, netted him another simple robbery charge.

But in the first case, he was allowed to plead guilty to attempted theft of less than $300. Judge Karen Herman gave him a 6-month suspended sentence.

In the second case, Judge Darryl Derbigny gave him a 2-year suspended sentence after he pled guilty to simple robbery.

So, despite the trend, Joseph A Davis walks among us--hang on to your money.

• Byron Asmore, 46, on the other hand, got 7 years in prison from Judge Laurie White for pursesnatching when he pled guilty after the DA agreed not to charge him as a career criminal.

He allegedly grabbed the purse of an Asian tourist at Canal Street and Convention Center Boulevard last April.

• Nicholas Duplessis (right), 24, and Charles Roy (left), 20, each received a 7-year suspended sentence from Judge Robin Pittman after they pled guilty to simple robbery.

They were arrested last July after they were identified as part of a 4-man gang who accosted a white guy at N. Rampart and St. Louis streets, grabbing his money after he obliged their request for a cigarette and pulled a pack of smokes from his pocket along with his cash.

• Purnell Madison, 62, was sentenced to 10 years in prison by Judge Lynda Van Davis as a multiple offender after pleading guilty to pursesnatching.

He was charged after he grabbed a woman's purse last April as she was walking in the 100 block of S. Peters Street.

• Jarred C. Simmons Jr., 18, was given a 3-year suspended sentence by Judge Ben Willard after pleading guilty to attempted simple robbery.

He was arrested last April after he asked a woman for some money in the 700 block of Royal Street and then tried grabbing her purse when she refused.

• Keri Ansley, 25, was sentenced to a year in jail by Judge Julian Parker after she pled guilty to aggravated battery for stabbing her boyfriend several times at 925 Common St. in July.

• Raymond Taylor, 41, was given a 6-month suspended sentence by Magistrate Rudy Gorrell after finding him guilty of aggravated assault.

Taylor was arrested after he got into an argument with a friend at Iberville and N. Peters streets last May and then pulled a pistol and pointed it at him.

• Romeo Alvarez, 21, was given a 2-year suspended sentence by Judge Karen Herman after he pled guilty to illegal use of a weapon.

Alvarez was arrested after cops responding to a call of gunshots in the 700 block of Kerlerec Street found Alvarez firing a handgun into the air.

• Aubrey Young, 23, didn't know when he was well off. Back in November last year he got a 2-year suspended sentence for a charge of possession with intent to distribute marijuana that was whittled down to possession of marijuana.

So he was out on the streets when 8th District officers Anthony Bakewell and Brandon Ludwig came upon him involved in "suspicious activity" at Iberville and Decatur streets 3.19.09 which, they said, amounted to distribution of marijuana.

This time the charge was reduced to possession with intent to distribute and Judge Darryl Derbigny imposed a 10-year suspended sentence.

But, thanks to Judge Robin Pittman, Young's probation on his previous 2-year sentence was revoked and he's doing the time in OPP.

• Brandon Roussell, 18, was given a 3-year suspended sentence by Judge Karen Herman (doesn't anybody do time for the crime any more?) after he pled guilty to 2 charges of simple robbery.

Roussell, who was only 17 at the time, and 2 of his buddies were originally charged with 1st-degree robbery after they allegedly jumped 2 guys in the 1400 block of Canal Street back in April and robbed them after implying they had a guy. His 2 accomplices got only 4-month sentences for their role in the crime, equaling the time they spent in jail awaiting trial.

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

Thom Kahler

Haunting stories

What, where, when, who?: At 3:55 a.m. Sunday (11.1.09) a couple of 8th District cops went to University Hospital to talk with a black guy who was being treated for a gunshot wound who said he was the victim of an attempted hold-up in the French Quarter.

He said he was walking along when he was approached by a gang of 3 or 4 black thugs. When one of them pulled out a pistol and demanded his money, he took off running. He heard 2 gunshots and then realized he'd been shot in the right foot, and was given a ride to the hospital.

He told police he was unsure of where this happened, but thought it was in the 700 block of St. Ann Street (between Bourbon and Royal streets). Officers who canvassed that area found no one had reported hearing gunshots. The victim could only describe his assailants as wearing dark clothing.

Tricks, no treats: Pursesnatchers, and worse, continue to vex citizens trying to navigate the ghostly terrain of the French Quarter:

• Thursday (10.29.09) 5:40 a.m.: A white woman was standing on the corner of Canal and Carondelet streets when a white guy dashed up and grabbed her purse, then fled on foot with an accomplice into the CBD.

The robber was described as 25 to 30 years old, 5'6" tall, with a thin build, wearing a yellow hoodie, khaki pants and a white baseball cap; his accomplice was 5'7" tall, with a thin build, wearing a gray hoodie.

• Thursday (10.29.09) 9:15 p.m.: A white guy walking near Bourbon and St. Louis streets when a black dude came up behind him and grabbed his cellphone and fled on foot. (You know, if you put those damn things in your pocket and pay attention to your surroundings, those thefts would never happen.)

The thief was described as 6'1" tall, weighing 175 pounds, wearing a tan shirt, tan shorts and a tan baseball cap.

• Friday (10.30.09) 7:58 p.m.: A white guy with an obvious tourist's mentality invited his newest best friends--a black dude and 2 black chicks--up to his room at the Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal St. An argument turned into a fight. (What? Who's going to be on top? How much is an ounce? What?) The tourist was knocked unconscious and when he woke up he realized his wallet and cellphone were missing. (Though, happily, he wasn't sitting in a bathtub full of ice and his kidneys were intact.)

He could only described his assailants as a black guy wearing a brown shirt and blue jeans, and the girls as petite, wearing gray shorts and black shirts.

• Saturday (10.31.09) 5:40 a.m.: A white woman standing in the 900 block of St. Louis Street (between Dauphine and Burgundy streets) was robbed of her purse by a black guy who grabbed it and ran toward N. Rampart Street.

He was described as 6' tall, weighing 240 pounds, wearing a tan sweater and a black baseball cap. (Say, wasn't that guy who made off with the cellphone Thursday night on St. Louis wearing tan too?)

• Sunday (11.1.09) 5:40 a.m.: (What's with all these robberies right at 5:40 a.m.? A malfunction of the 8th District's computer? Or a very punctual thief?) A white man standing in the 100 block of Royal Street (between Canal and Iberville streets) had his wallet jerked from his hand by a black man who fled on foot toward Canal.

Officers apprehended Owen Ginn, 30, and charged him with simple robbery. He is in OPP on $10,000 bond.

Story too common: One can only speculate on the motive in the murder of Dr. Edward Newsome inside his home in the 926 Toulouse St. early Saturday (10.31.09). But it fits a pattern seen in police reports many times before: A gay man is murdered/beaten/robbed by someone he invited in.

It's sad but reflects the dangers of what are often casual encounters. Sure, it can and does happen too among men and women who hook up casually in bars and clubs. But there is something more powerful and dangerous in the all-male dynamic that results in tragedy.

The only danger to the community as a whole--other than the loss of good citizens--is for all of us to choose our guests with caution.

Cops out, crime down: Big Chief Warren Riley is trying to convince you he reduced crime this summer by forcing about 60% of his force to work 12-hour shifts.

"More officers on the street clearly reduces crime," Riley asserts, and it's hard to argue with the apparent logic.

But the figures he uses for comparison of 8-hour shifts come from the Spring, while the figures for 12-hour shifts is for the Summer. Are the 2 different seasons comparable? Who knows?

You can't rely on the crime maps and stats Riley's NOPD out--they're nothing but cheat sheets. (The simplest way to tell--for those who doubt me--is to click here and set the map to report murders from 1.1.09 to the current date. You'll see 5 icons on the map, but only 2 listed--even Wendy Byrne's notorious murder last January has been expunged!)

But since Riley only forced 900 of his 1,550 officers to work mandatory overtime, what about the other 650? Why not get their fannies out of their comfy chairs at HQ and out on the street for 12 hours a day, or even 8? Why should the NOPD have gun-toting cops in the "public information" office who do nothing other than manufacture sound-bites for the TV crews? Or others who do nothing more than shuffle reports?

Did you see the brief TV tidbit a couple of weeks ago where Riley reassigned his "personal" photographer after he was accused in a domestic incident? He went to the Crime Prevention Bureau. Huh? Aren't all cops responsible for crime prevention?

It's all part of what's plagued Riley's mismanagement of the NOPD since day one--he doesn't properly utilize the manpower he had.

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

Thom Kahler

Security! Security!

Robbers everywhere: The one place you might think you're safe from robbers is in Harrah's Casino, considering the security guards, moonlighting cops, and the State Police contingent.

But late Saturday night (10.24.09) around 11 p.m. a fat black woman came up behind an Asian woman playing video poker there and pulled a knife, demanding the victim's money. The victim refused and the perp fled on foot out the S. Peters Street doors.

You'd think cops could catch up with a 250-pound, 5'8" tall woman, but she got away. She was wearing what sounds like a uniform of sorts: a green and black shirt, a black jacket and black jeans.

In 2 other attempted hold-ups over the weekend, 8th District cops did manage to haul in 4 culprits:

• Saturday (10.24.09) 2:17 p.m.: A black guy--armed with a shovel--tried holding up the Hispanic woman working at the parking lot in the 200 block of N. Rampart Street (between Iberville and Bienville streets). When she refused, he fled on foot but was scooped up by cops moments later.

Charged with attempted armed robbery was Justin Sailor, 19. He is being held in OPP on $75,000 bond.

• Sunday (10.25.09) 2:30 a.m.: A white couple had the hell scared out of them when a gang of 4 young black punks accosted them in the 300 block of O'Keefe Avenue (between Union and Perdido streets). One of the perps pulled a pistol and demanded their money, but when they refused, the gang turned tail and ran.

Cops caught 3 of them within moments: Jessie Simmons (right), 17, Jeromy Jackson, 18, and Terrence Howard (left), 19. Each was charged with attempted armed robbery; Simmons and Howard were also charged with flight from an officer, but Magistrate Gerard Hansen found no probable cause for Jackson on the same charge. Each is being held in OPP on $100,000 bond.

A couple of days later, detectives showed a photo line-up containing Jackson's mug shot to the victims in a robbery in the 800 block of Union Street on 10.17.09. The men positively identified Jackson as one of the 2 black thugs who robbed them. Police charged him with 2 counts of armed robbery. He is being held on $400,000 bond in this case.

Might one of Jackson's accomplices in the most recent robbery--only a couple of blocks from this one--be implicated too?

• Tuesday (10.27.09) 2:36 p.m.: A duo of black dudes pulled a daring daylight robbery of the Price Busters store, 867 St. Charles St., at the corner of St. Joseph Street. The robbers flashed pistols at the clerk and demanded the money from the cash register.

They fled in a black 4-door sedan. Both were described as in their 20's, 6' tall, one wearing a gray hoodie and the other a dark green one.

Purse and phone snatchers everywhere: The so-called "simple" robbers--those without weapons--were all over the place this past week, though the cops managed to snare one of them:

• Wednesday (10.21.09) 11:22 p.m.: Lucy's Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant, 701 Tchoupitoulas St., was the scene of another robbery in less than a month. A woman sitting at a table outside the bar was accosted by 2 black guys who grabbed her cellphone from her hand and ran.

One of the robbers was described as 6' tall, weighing 175 pounds, with dreadlocks, and wearing a dark shirt, red jacket and dark shorts; the other was only described as wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

On 9.27.09, a trio of young black boys snatched a woman's purse out of her lap right inside the bar around 2:30 a.m.

• Saturday (10.24.09) 3:19 a.m.: A white woman walking in the 500 block of Wilkinson Street (between Decatur and Chartres streets) had her purse snatched by a Hispanic guy who fled on foot up down Decatur.

He was described as 5'6" tall, wearing a white T-shirt and a red baseball cap.

• Sunday (10.25.09) 12:45 a.m.: A white woman was robbed of her purse at Conti and Decatur streets by a black guy who came up behind her and then fled on foot.

He was described as 6'2" tall, medium build, wearing a white long-sleeve shirt and blue jeans.

• Sunday (10.25.09) 4:35 a.m.: A white man walking in the 700 block of Iberville Street (between Royal and Bourbon streets) was approached from behind by a black man who grabbed his cellphone and ran.

Police arrested Jeremy Flemings, 23, and charged him with attempted simple robbery. He is being held in OPP on $10,000 bond.

• Monday (10.26.09) 9:57 p.m.: The next night, one block over in the 700 block of Bienville Street, another white man lost his cellphone to 2 black thieves who grabbed it and ran.

The perps were described as in their 20's, one 5'8" tall, weighing 170 pounds, with medium dreadlocks, wearing all-black clothing; the other as 5'9" tall, weighing 170 pounds, with short hair, wearing a white hoodie.

• Monday (10.26.09) 10:16 p.m.: A white man walking in the 300 block of St. Charles Avenue (between Union and Perdido streets) was approached from behind by a black guy who took his cellphone and fled on foot.

The robber was described as 5'7" tall, weighing 135 pounds, with a thin build, wearing a white hoodie and black baggy pants.

Violence in Jackson Square: What started as a catfight between 2 women in the square last Saturday (10.24.09) afternoon around 2:17 p.m., ended with 2 men trying to break it up. One man pulled the woman who was with him from the fight, at which point another man pulled a knife and swung it at the man and his woman.

He fled up Pirates Alley toward Royal Street, but was apprehended a short time later. Police charged Robert Jage, 28, aggravated assault and illegally carrying a weapon. He is in OPP on a $5,000 bond.

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

Thom Kahler