Bad guys back at it

Crimes last week in the 8th District

(Click on the crime map below to enlarge it)

Sunday (8.1.10)

Theft: 200 Bourbon
Aggravated Assault: 900 Burgundy
Auto Theft: Dauphine & St Philip
Theft: 233 Chartres
Theft: Bourbon & Dumaine
Auto Theft: Andrew Higgins & Tchoupitoulas

Monday (8.2.10)

6:22 a.m. Auto Theft: 210 N Rampart
8:12 a.m. Simple Burglary: 1036 Esplanade
9:05 a.m. Auto Theft: Burgundy & Iberville
1:15 p.m. Auto Burglary: 500 Madison
2:39 p.m. Theft: 717 Orleans
3:01 p.m. Shoplifting: 917 Decatur
4:47 p.m. Business Burglary: 900 Convention Center
5:17 p.m. Auto Theft: 275 LaSalle
9:18 p.m. Aggravated Assault: 301 St Joseph

Tuesday (8.3.10)

4:13 a.m. Theft: Constance & St Joseph
2:20 p.m. Theft: 1900 St Claude
10:54 p.m. Auto Theft: 900 Decatur

Wednesday (8.4.10)

5:20 a.m. Theft: 911 Burgundy
3:30 p.m. Auto Theft: 600 Carondelet
4:06 p.m. Shoplifting: 937 Decatur
5:15 p.m. Theft: 421 Loyola
5:44 p.m. Theft: 881 Convention Center

Thursday (8.5.10)

12:18 a.m. Simple Robbery: Bourbon & Iberville
4:51 p.m. Theft: 819 Conti
7:05 p.m. Simple Robbery: 700 Bourbon
7:55 p.m. Theft: 923 S Peters

Friday (8.6.10)

10:26 a.m. Car Jacking: 1000 Annunciation
11:35 a.m. Auto Burglary: 1736 McShane
3:21 p.m. Theft: 636 Tchoupitoulas
6:25 p.m. Auto Burglary: 1034 Dauphine

Saturday (8.7.10)

12:30 a.m. Aggravated Assault: 240 Decatur
1:24 a.m. Armed Robbery: Commerce & Notre Dame
4:46 a.m. Theft: 441 Bourbon
5:39 a.m. Auto Theft: St Charles & Union
9:34 a.m. Auto Theft: 100 Conti
12:58 p.m. Simple Robbery: 700 St Philip
4:07 p.m. Theft: 801 Decatur
8:28 p.m. Theft: 1104 Canal
10:38 p.m. Purse Snatching: Bourbon & St Louis
10:40 p.m. Auto Burglary: Girod & O'Keefe

Murder in the Marigny?: How could a guy be beaten to death in broad daylight near Washington Square Park in the Marigny Triangle and no one see it? Nor report it to the NOPD?

Homicide detectives are saying Ryan Trosclair (pictured on left), 35, was likely beaten and killed near the park (bounded by Frenchmen Street and Elysian Fields Avenue, and Dauphine and Royal streets) between 4 and 7 p.m. on 7.22.10, which they say is the last day anyone saw him alive.

It was not until 2 days later that someone called 911 around 6:30 a.m. from someone who found the charred corpse in a field in New Orleans East.

The lead homicide detective, Andrew Packard, speculated Trosclair was the victim of a drug deal gone bad near the park.

Wouldn't you think the homicide squad would clue the 8th District in on this? Apparently they left the 8th District out of the loop.

Trosclair, of Slidell, grew up in Jefferson Parish and New Orleans and had been arrested a couple of times on drug charges. The victim's stepfather said Trosclair had been addicted to alcohol, cocaine and heroin most of his life.

Crimestoppers has tripled the reward for finding his killer to $7,500. You may call Crimestoppers anonymously at 822-1111.

Robberies with guns: They're out there folks--be careful:

• Friday (8.6.10) 10:20 a.m.: A 26-year-old white guy was ordered out of his parked SUV in the lot of Sun Ray Grill, 1051 Annunciation St., by a black thug armed with a small, shiny semi-automatic pistol. The robber made off with the silver 2007 Acura MDX with Louisiana tag TFY 514 and the victim's wallet and cellphone too. He was last scene speeding up Annunciation toward Calliope Street.

The carjacker was described as 5'10" tall, weighing 150 pounds, with a medium build and a light mustache, wearing a green or gray T-shirt, blue jeans, and a black baseball cap with the yellow letter "P" on the front.

• Saturday (8.7.10) 1:24 a.m.: Two white couples were walking near Commerce and Notre Dame streets in the Warehouse District when they were robbed by 2 black thugs. One robber held a gun on them and ordered them to drop their valuables; when they did, the second robber scooped up the loot. The thieves then fled on foot toward Canal Street.

The gunman was described as 20 to 25 years old, 5'7" to 5'9" tall, weighing 130 to 140 pounds, wearing all dark clothing; the second guy was slightly taller and heavier, also wearing all dark clothing.

• Sunday (8.8.10) 10:33 p.m.: A white couple, he 22 years old, she 20 years old--and you've got to believe they were from out of town to do something so stupid--were walking in the honky-tonk area along Bourbon Street when they met a black dude who offered to take them to a party. He lured them into a parking garage in the 800 block of Iberville Street (between Bourbon and Dauphine streets). Once there, the dude's black buddy pulled a pistol and demanded the young gullible couple's cash. They gave it up, the robbers fled.

Both suspects were described as 20 to 25 years old, one 6' fall, weighing 150 pounds, with short hair and a medium complex, wearing a red shirt and dark pants; the other was 6'3" tall, weighing 140 pounds, with medium-length dreadlocks, wearing a dark shirt and dark baggy pants.

Robberies without guns: It doesn't take much to rob some folks, but in these cases, 8th District cops made 4 arrests in 2 of the cases:

• Thursday (8.5.10) 12:18 a.m.: An 18-year-old white boy made the mistake of getting into an argument a black dude on Bourbon Street near Iberville Street. It didn't take long for several of the black guy's bros to show up. One of them reached into the white victim's pocket and grabbed some cash, as all of the hoodlums raced toward Canal Street.

The incident was witnessed by an officer in the Bourbon Promenade and he gave pursuit. Apprehended were Trevonne Cargo (top), 19, Emile Young (middle), 20, and Rodney T. Johnson (bottom), 20. Cargo and Young were each charged with simple robbery and possession of hydrocodone; Johnson was charged only with 2nd offense possession of marijuana.

Cargo's bond was set at $40,000; Young's at $35,000 after the drug charge was dropped; and Johnson's at $1,000.

• Thursday (8.5.10) 7:10 p.m.: A 55-year-old white lady walking in the 700 block of Bourbon Street (between Orleans Avenue and St. Ann Street) was asked for some money by a young black boy. When she refused, he grabbed her iPhone from her hand.

He quickly found out that a Quarterite and her walkie-talkie are not soon parted. She took off after him on foot toward Orleans and caught the little bugger.

Police arrested the 16-year-old boy, a juvenile. We won't know his name until he turns pro at 17.

• Saturday (8.7.10) 1 a.m.: A 40-year-old white man walking in the 700 block of St. Philip Street (between Bourbon and Royal streets) was accosted by a gang of 3 black boys. One pushed him to the ground and the others took his wallet and cellphone before fleeing on foot.

One suspect was described as 18 to 20 years old, weighing 150 pounds, with short hair, wearing baggy clothing; another was 17 to 19 years old, 5'6", with long dreadlocks, wearing baggy clothing; and the third was simply "a black male."

• Saturday (8.7.10) 10:38 p.m.: A 21-year-old white woman was walking near Bourbon and St. Louis streets when she was confronted by 2 young punks who grabbed her purse and fled on foot on St. Louis, turning on Dauphine Street toward Canal Street.

One of the robbers was described as 16 to 18 years old, 6' tall, weighing 140 pounds, with medium-length dreadlocks, wearing a bright orange shirt; the other was 13 to 15 years old, weighing 120 pounds, with short hair.

All of these robbers sound an awfully lot alike--besides all being black. The watch word seems to be: If you're white and they're black, avoid them. It's a shame it has to come to that. Some of these black preachers that are always hooting and hollering about "discrimination" ought to get out and go to door-to-door to get the mamas to get their kids' butts in the pews on Sunday.

Unwanted man wanted: A black man who'd been 86'd from the Club Decatur, 240 Decatur St., tried to enter the forbidden chamber around 12:30 a.m. on Friday (8.6.10). When the bartender confronted him, the banned man reached into a black backpack he was carrying and pulled out a pistol, then fled on foot before any fireworks erupted.

He was described as 23 to 27 years old, 5'8" tall, weighing 140 pounds, with shoulder-length dreadlocks, wearing a white T-shirt.

By Monday (8.9.10), 8th District detectives figured out the man they were looking for was Bryan Mitchell, 22, and issued a warrant for his arrest after he was positively identified from a photo lineup by the bartender. Mitchell was booked into Central Lockup this afternoon (8.10.10) just before 2 p.m.

Where he was wanted, he didn't want to stay. He was extradited to Mississippi on a fugitive warrant on 5.26.10 but found his way back to Louisiana.

Kiss and tell?: A 28-year-old black dude took better than a week to report an incident that might prove embarrassing.

Seems he met this woman earlier in the evening on Saturday (7.24.10)--he could describe her only as black with a stocky build--and took her back to his room at the Springhill Suites hotel, 301 St. Joseph St. There, for whatever reason, she pulled out a pistol and pointed it at him. Then she fled while he pondered whether to report it to police.

He finally did on 8.2.10. The police have no leads.

Who you gonna believe?: As expected, supporters of the proposed new French Quarter/Marigny "security" district think I'm downright disloyal and ignorant because I don't support their boondoggle.

So, see for yourself. I included the link to download the PDF file about the district in the last column which criticized the plan that will be voted on 10.2.10. The report is well-written and includes many graphics detailing what the proposed district is all about. Download it here, and see if you come to the same conclusions I did.

You also might want to look at a more detailed analysis of the district proposal written by Kalen Wright of Lower Quarter Citizens Against Crime. It takes exception point-by-point with the proposed district plan. Download that here.

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

Thom Kahler

Don't be fooled!

PUBLIC "SAFETY"? It's being kept under wraps for the most part, but a proposal to tax French Quarter residences and businesses masquerading in the name of "public safety" will be on the ballot in October.

Formally called "The French Quarter Marigny Historic Area Management District," the Marigny Triangle has already weaseled out of the deal (don't know how they did that since they were included in state legislation creating the concept), so that leaves the Quarter to foot the whole bill--if the district is approved by voters in October.

And that's a big bill. If passed, every residence would be taxed $185 a year to finance the district; $395 for commercial housing (e.g. apartment buildings), and $545 for bars and $15,000 for the biggest hotels. Still businesses would pay for only a little more than 12% of the nearly $1 million the district envisions raising from taxpayers. (And those numbers may go even higher to make up for the Marigny's defection from the plan.)

That means if you're a landlord, you're going to have to tack on more than $15 a month to each unit you rent to break even; if you're a renter, you better get registered to vote to keep your rent from going up by $15 or more a month.

Advocating creation of this new taxing district are people and groups who may NOT even be entitled to vote on it.

Its current board is headed by Darryl Berger, who has a hotel or two in the Quarter, but who lives Uptown.

(In fact, the hotel association gets to appoint 2 members to the 13-member board, the same number the mayor does--Berger was appointed by former mayor Ray Nagin.)

Only 5 of 13 members on the board live in the Quarter; the other 8 will not be taxed by the new district.

One of 2 major civic groups in the Quarter--French Quarter Citizens--has come out in favor of the taxing district; there's some indication that the board of VCPORA, the other major group, is opposing the district.

(Kim Rosenberg--current vice chairman of the taxing district's board, who perhaps sees a paying job for herself with the district--has extolled in an email, "If VCPORA is not willing to support the creation of the security district, I would hope the organization would remain NEUTRAL.")

Councilwomen Karen Gisleson Palmer and Jackie Clarkson are said to have endorsed the district. But why should they care? They won't be taxed--they live in Algiers.

Using fear-mongering techniques based on rising crime rates solely for the year 2009, proponents of the district say the plan "...seeks to implement a public safety program that will deploy private security officers to patrol the district 24 hours a day, every day of the year."

Like all such endeavors, a bureaucracy to manage this district (and eat up most of the tax dollars): an executive director, and an operations manager, 3 patrol supervisors, and 15 patrolmen, all of whom would be supplied by an outside contractor.

But the thing is: these rent-a-cops will have NO arrest powers if they find someone breaking the law. Instead, their duties are listed as: "Watching for public nuisance or ordinance violations, including but not limited to: aggressive panhandling; public urination, graffiti, loitering, public disturbance, blocked driveways, non-violent disputes, disruptively loud music."

Nuisances, yes; but a "public safety" program? I don't think so.

History shows these special "security" districts just aren't effective. They may have some impact, but hardly as much as they cost. Ask residents who belong to Lower Quarter Crime Watch--and pay a whopping fee to do so--how much crime in their neighborhood has been reduced. I venture to say the answer would be "not much."

If you want to read for yourself what's involved, get the report here. But be advised: this is not the final report. That will not be ready until Sept. 1 (just a scant month before the election) and may very well include bumps in the fees that will be levied if the district is approved by voters.

NOcrimeline's stance: Keep this camel's nose from getting under the tent. Give new NOPD Chief Ronal Serpas' reform initiatives time to take effect--already crime is showing a decline in 2010. And among his initiatives is a move already implemented to beef up the quality-of-life section of each NOPD district--the very tasks this new "management district" thinks it needs a million dollars a year to do. If you've got a spare million bucks lying around, dedicate it to the NOPD.

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

Thom Kahler

Beware Dauphine/Burgundy

Crimes last week in the 8th District

(Click on the crime map below to enlarge it)

Sunday (7.25.10)

Simple Robbery: 200 Bourbon
Auto Theft: 600 Magazine
Auto Theft: Andrew Higgins & S Peters
Auto Burglary: Magazine & Natchez
Shoplifting: 1100 Bourbon
Theft: 201 Baronne
Theft: 700 Elysian Fields
Theft: 921 Canal

Monday (7.26.10)

Auto Theft: Fulton & Girod

Tuesday (7.27.10)

Simple Robbery: 400 Bourbon
Auto Burglary: Chartres & Toulouse
Theft: 900 Convention Center Theft: 555 Canal

Wednesday (7.28.10)

Pursesnatching: 900 Dauphine
Theft: 900 Convention Center
Auto Theft: Elysian Fields & St Claude
Auto Burglary: O'Keefe & Perdido

Thursday (7.29.10)

Auto Burglary: O'Keefe & Poydras
Theft: 902 Poydras

Friday (7.30.10)

Theft: 535 Tchoupitoulas
Theft: 214 Royal
Shoplifting: 111 Bourbon

Saturday (7.31.10)

Armed Robbery: 1001 Dauphine
Auto Theft: 555 Canal

Consider this: Considering all the crimes--robberies, purse snatchings, as well as bike thefts--being committed by crooks on bicycles, why don't the cops make a point of stopping every bicycle they see and check its registration?

The city code gives the police chief the right to license every bicycle in the city by obtaining the owner's name and address, for a $3 fee, and issuing a license that must be displayed on the bike. I'd bet there isn't a bicycle in the city with a license tag on it.

It would give the cops on patrol the right to stop any bicyclist and check them out--and maybe find weapons and warrants in the process.

And considering the number of bicycle thefts--some bikes now costing more than your first VW Bug--it would help the rightful owner establish his ownership. If a bike rider doesn't have a license, the code lets the police haul him in.

Small area targeted: Robbers are marauding into the French Quarter, attacking citizens in the 900 and 1000 blocks of Dauphine and Burgundy streets, sometimes in broad daylight.

• Saturday (7.31.10) 9:10 a.m.: A 45-year-old white woman was robbed at the corner of Dauphine and St. Philip streets by a black punk who pulled a pistol and demanded her purse. She gave it up and he fled on foot down Ursulines Avenue toward the river.

She described him as 20 to 25 years old, with a medium build, wearing a tan T-shirt and khaki shorts.

• Wednesday (7.28.10) 9:30 p.m.: Just 2 days earlier and a block away, a 41-year-old white woman was robbed of her purse at Dauphine and Dumaine streets by a black thug who pushed her to the ground and grabbed her purse.

He was described as 30 to 35 years old, 6' tall, with short hair and a light complexion, wearing a long-sleeved white shirt and black pants.

• Sunday (8.1.10) 4:45 a.m.: One block over, at Burgundy and Dumaine streets, a 34-year-old white man was accosted by a black punk who pointed a pistol at him. Before the assailant even stated his intentions, the victim grabbed the handgun and tried to pull it out of the bad guy's grasp. But the gunman fled on Burgundy toward Barracks Street.

The attacker was described as 20 to 25 years old, wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

The previous week, robbers struck at Dauphine and Gov. Nicholls streets (in which a suspect on a bicycle was apprehended), and at Burgundy and St. Peter streets, a couple of blocks from these other incidents.

Ironically, all of these incidents are just a couple of blocks from where the Night Out Against Crime is being held tonight (8.3.10)--the dog park between Burgundy and Dauphine streets on Barracks Street.

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

Thom Kahler

Cops 2, crooks 2

Crimes last week in the 8th District

(Click on the crime map below to enlarge it)

Sunday (7.18.10)

Simple Robbery: S Rampart & Tulane
Auto Theft: 1300 N Peters
Auto Burglary: 820 Poydras
Theft: 817 Common
Theft: 300 Canal

Monday (7.19.10)

Auto Theft: 500 Andrew Higgins
Auto Burglary: 826 Camp
Theft: 225 Bourbon
Theft: 725 St Peter
Shoplifting: 601 Royal
Shoplifting: 800 Canal

Tuesday (7.20.10)

Simple Robbery: Chartes & St Ann
Auto Theft: John Churchill Chasr & Poe
Auto Theft: 300 Gravier
Auto Burglary: N Rampart & St Philip
Shoplifting: 839 Decatur
Theft: 823 Fulton

Wednesday (7.21.10)

Auto Theft: 300 N Peters
Auto Theft: Chartres & Toulouse
Bicycle Theft: 650 Poydras
Theft: 216 Bourbon

Thursday (7.22.10)

Armed Robbery: 1100 Dauphine
Pursesnatching: 1000 St Peter
Auto Theft: Decatur & Elysian Fields
Auto Burglary: 400 Canal
Auto Burglary: 1029 Bienville
Auto Burglary: 116 University
Shoplifting: 924 Canal
Shoplifting: 800 Canal
Theft: 300 Poydras
Theft: 2 Poydras
Theft: 1005 Canal

Friday (7.23.10)

Armed Robbery: Burgundy & St Peter
Auto Theft: 1200 Bourbon
Auto Burglary: 869 Magazine
Auto Burglary: 414 Canal
Bicycle Theft: 200 N Rampart
Bicycle Theft: 1515 Poydras
Theft: 401 Baronne
Theft: 614 Canal

Saturday (7.24.10)

Auto Theft: 700 Burgundy
Shoplifting : 717 Canal
Theft: 917 Decatur
Theft: 931 S Peters

Another bike bandit bagged: Though the description was scant, it didn't take 8th District detectives long to nab the guy they think robbed a woman at gunpoint last Thursday (7.22.10) after he swooped down on her on a bicycle.

The robber was on a small BMX-style bike when he made off with the 30-year-old woman's purse around 11:54 p.m. while she was walking on Dauphine Street near Gov. Nicholls Street. He was described as black, with a thin, build, shoulder length twists in his hair, wearing a black T-shirt.

On Monday (7.26.10) detectives arrested Lionel Hudson, 24, after he was positively identified by the victim. A profound bad boy, Hudson was charged with armed robbery and his bond was set at $300,000.

Apparently the magistrate setting the bond noted Hudson could hardly wait for the big time--his first adult arrest was just 4 days after he turned 17 when he was charged with illegal possession of a stolen auto, illegal possession of a weapon, flight from an officer and resisting an officer.

Dollars to donuts he has a long juvenile rap sheet--enough argument for summary executions of juvenile offenders.

In broad daylight: We often point out these dirty deeds happen in the wee hours. But not always. Not far away the day after the bike bandit struck, a 40-year-old woman walking on Burgundy Street near St. Peter Street was robbed on Friday (7.23.10) at 4:10 p.m. by a black punk who pulled a pistol and demanded her purse. He fled in a red Chevy truck.

The robber was described as 5'8" tall, with a medium build and gold teeth, wearing a black tank top, blue jeans, a red hat and white shoes.

Yakkity yak: "You talk too much..." Remember that song from the '60s? It seems to apply in this case:

Two more oblivious phone users had their electronic appendages ripped away by crooks. Two more down, a million or more to go.

Listen to this: put the damn phones down, stop talking/texting/apping and pay attention--attention to your fellow man, or at least your surroundings. Whatever happened to "be here now"--living in the moment?

Okay, enough rant. Here are the facts:

• Sunday (7.25.10) 12:00 a.m.: A 27-year-old guy was standing in the 200 block of Bourbon Street (between Iberville and Bienville streets) when a black dude ran up, grabbed the iPhone out of his hand, and ran down Bourbon.

The robber is described as 5'8" tall, with a bald head and dark complexion, wearing a black shirt and black pants.

• Tuesday (7.27.10) 1:13 a.m.: A 22-year-old white man was standing in the 400 block of Bourbon (between Conti and St. Louis streets) when he suffered the same fate. The robber fled down Conti.

But police soon caught up with the alleged robber, Justin R. Lewis, 18, who was charged with simple robbery when he was booked into Central Lockup on Tuesday (7.27.10) around 2 p.m.

He was another one who couldn't wait to get his adult record rolling: He was arrested less than 2 weeks after he turned 17 in 2008 for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (read "auto theft"). The DA wound up dismissing the charge.

Crime walk: Never quite sure what these things are about (my son calls them "cookies against crime"). But Thursday evening (7.29.10) in every NOPD district across the city, police officers will be "walking the beat" with citizens to, I guess, show solidarity in the fight against crime.

The 8th District's walk will begin at Jackson Square at 6:30 p.m., going down Decatur Street to Dumaine Street, over to Bourbon Street, crossing Esplanade Avenue to Kerlerec Street, to Chartres Street, then left on Frenchmen Street, and disbanding at Washington Park.

Wouldn't it be great if they could get one of those embattled brass bands to lead the way?

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

Thom Kahler

Don't let your guard down

Crime's down, but... You can't be too careful. Two women were robbed Thursday (7.22.10) night by black boys on bicycles and a man was robbed in Jackson Square on Tuesday (7.20.10) morning:

• Thursday (7.22.10) 11:54 p.m.: A 30-year-old white woman was walking in the 1100 block of Dauphine Street (near Gov. Nicholls Street) when she was approached by a black thug on a small BMX-style bicycle. He pulled a pistol and demanded her purse. She gave it up and he fled on the bike on Gov. Nicholls toward N. Rampart Street.

He was described as having a thin build, with shoulder-length twists in his hair, and wearing a black T-shirt.

• Thursday (7.22.10) 10:15 p.m.: About an hour and a half earlier, 2 black punks swooped down on a 53-year-old white woman walking in the 700 block of N. Rampart Street (near St. Peter Street) and grabbed her purse. They rode off into Treme, across N. Rampart on St. Peter toward N. Claiborne Avenue.

Both robbers were said to be in their teens, one wearing a white T-shirt.

• Tuesday (7.20.10) 12:59 a.m.: A 59-year-old Hispanic man was jumped from behind at Chartres and St. Ann streets by a black dude and black chick. The dude struck the victim and pulled his wallet from his pocket before fleeing on foot. His girlfriend was less fleet afoot and was apprehended by police.

They charged Yamon Bennett, 24, with simple battery and simple robbery. She is being held in OPP on $30,000 bond. Hey, here's a thought, Yamon: Turn in your boyfriend and collect the $2,500 reward.

Brazen burglar brought down: It didn't take long for the NOPD--and technology--to catch up with an old-time criminal earlier this week. After a Gentilly business in the NOPD's 3rd District was the victim of an aggravated burglary the morning of 7.13.10, a renter suffered a similar fate that afternoon when a robber walked into his apartment on Frenchmen Street in the 8th District and left with his wallet.

This past Monday (7.19.10), Det. Jeruska Hillman obtained a warrant for Eugene Forrest after identifying the getaway car from video surveillance tapes. The next day, 4th District officers in Algiers collared him. Forrest, 54, who's been charged with at least 43 crimes in the past, is now charged with one count of aggravated burglary and one of simple robbery. He is sitting in OPP on $200,000 bond.

Ah, ha: Remember earlier this month when NOcrimeline.com chastised a robbery victim for waiting 12 hours to report the crime? We reasoned that maybe if she had reported the crime immediately it might have prevented 3 other robberies that followed that same morning. Then we dismissed it because her description of the guy who robbed her didn't fit the descriptions in the other cases.

But this past Monday (7.19.10), 8th District detectives charged Darren Cole--who was charged for the other 3 robberies--with the first robbery that same morning after all. He's now in OPP on $500,000 bond.

Cole, 25, was charged initially with 2 counts of attempted simple robbery, one count of armed robbery, and one count of aggravated 2nd-degree battery in these cases, all on 7.2.10:

• 2:30 a.m.: A 27-year-old man walking in the 500 block of St. Louis Street (between Decatur and Chartres streets) was accosted by a black man armed with a pistol who demanded his money. He said he didn't have any and attempted to flee. The perp fired once, hitting the victim. The shooter fled and he victim was hauled to the hospital.
  

• 5:50 a.m.: A 23-year-old white woman walking near Burgundy and Conti streets was held up by a robber who said he had a gun. She gave it up and he fled on foot.
  

• 5:55 a.m.: A 44-year-old woman walking in the 1000 block of Toulouse Street (between Burgundy and N. Rampart streets) was struck by a black thug who attempted to pull her purse from her grasp. She resisted and he fled on foot.

The latest charge for the first robbery that same early morning involved a 32-year-old white woman walking in the 700 block of Iberville Street (between Royal and Bourbon streets) around 1:30 a.m. was targeted by a black thug who pulled a pistol and demanded her purse. She refused to give it up and started to walk away. The gunman followed her and grabbed the purse from her shoulder.

Had she reported the robbery immediately, it might have prevented the 3 other robberies. Who knows? But it's something to think about next time you think it's not important enough to report a crime.

A "new" way to fight crime: Chief Ronal Serpas sent a missive to his troops earlier this week exhorting them to go after crime before it comes to them. In the bad old days, it seemed like the cops sat around waiting for a 911 call to come in and then they'd go see what the matter was.

Now, says Serpas, "...our crime fighting plan will be straightforward: a combination of PROACTIVE and REACTIVE policing." The proactive approach would involve "self-initiated activity": checking on warrants, pedestrians, vehicles, following up tips, and "actively engaging the community in problem solving." Reactive policing is responding to CFS demands (Calls For Service, i.e. 911 calls) and he emphasizes: "Note that the proactive concept is listed first!"

While calls for service require an immediate and efficient response, "...we should remember that a CFS means just that: we are already late as a crime has already occurred." Or in other words, "We are simply the fastest at being late..."

What a refreshing concept: Get the bad guys before they get you! Thanks, Chief--that's what we've been waiting for.

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

Thom Kahler

Woeful weekend

Crimes last week in the 8th District

(Click on the crime map to enlarge it)

Sunday (7.11.10)

Auto Theft: Chartres & Frenchmen
Auto Burglary: 200 S Rampart
Auto Burglary: Magazine & Notre Dame
Auto Burglary: 400 Union
Theft: 365 Canal
Pickpocketing: 511 Bourbon

Monday (7.12.10)

Business Burglary: 515 St Louis
Auto Theft: 843 Camp
Auto Theft: Loyola & Poydras
Auto Theft: Commerce & St Joseph
Auto Burglary: 1501 Girod
Pickpocketing: Iberville & Royal
Theft: 740 Burgundy
Theft: 1001 S Peters

Tuesday (7.13.10)

Armed Robbery: 1700 Pauger
Aggravated Burglary: 2101 Burgundy
Simple Burglary: Esplanade & the River
Theft: 650 Poydras
Bicycle Theft: 1000 St Charles
Bicycle Theft: 100 Iberville
Shoplifting: 414 N Peters
Shoplifting: 839 Decatur
Auto Theft: 200 Clinton
Auto Burglary: 618 Julia

Wednesday (7.14.10)

Armed Robbery: Barracks & Dauphine
Rape: 500 Canal
Business Burglary: 233 N Peters
Bicycle Theft: 1515 Poydras
Shoplifting: Bienville & Burgundy
Pickpocketing: 8 Canal
Theft: 727 Bourbon

Thursday (7.15.10)

Simple Robbery: 515 St Philip
Auto Theft: 1000 Orleans
Auto Theft: 701 Tchoupitoulas
Auto Theft: 1100 S Peters
Auto Burglary: 413 Carondelet
Bicycle Theft: 633 Carondelet
Theft: 219 Carondelet

Friday (7.16.10)

Armed Robbery: 1014 Ursulines
Auto Theft: Frenchmen & Royal
Auto Theft: Bienville & N Peters
Auto Theft: 900 Dumaine
Theft: 900 Poeyfarre
Theft: 500 Camp
Theft: 700 Tchoupitoulas
Theft: 509 Decatur

Saturday (7.17.18)

Armed Robbery: Iberville & N Peters
Simple Robbery: 800 Bourbon
Simple Robbery: Gravier & Magazine
Purse Snatching: 100 Carondelet
Auto Theft: Constance & John Churchill Chase
Auto Theft: 700 Burgundy
Auto Burglary: 8 Canal
Theft: 525 Fulton
Theft: 1 Poydras
Bicycle Theft: 701 Loyola

Only one with a gun: Of all the robberies over the weekend, only one involved an armed robber--and that a chick, to boot.

A 24-year-old white woman walking near the intersection of Iberville and N. Peters streets early Saturday (7.17.10) morning around 1:15 a.m. was robbed by a black woman who pulled a pistol and demanded her purse. She gave it up and the robber hopped into a white 4-door sedan which sped down N. Peters and across Canal Street.

The robber was described as 28 to 34 years old, 5'5" tall, weighing 160 to 180 pounds (chubby little devil), with a dark complexion, wearing an orange or pink shirt, neon green spandex pants, and a neon green scarf on her head (can't say you didn't see her coming).

Only one arrested: Of 4 simple robberies over the weekend, the police did manage one arrest:

• Saturday (7.17.10) 5 a.m.: After a black guy pulled a 25-year-old white guy's wallet from his pocket as he was walking near the intersection of Gravier and Magazine streets, police arrested Kenneth Reed, 50, and charged him with simple robbery. He is in OPP on $15,000 bond.

• Saturday (7.17.10) 2:15 a.m.: A white man walking in the 800 block of Bourbon Street (between St. Ann and Dumaine streets) was robbed by 2 Hispanic creeps who grabbed a chain from the victim's neck and fled on foot down Dumaine, turning on Royal Street toward Canal Street.

Both robbers were described as 20 to 25 years old, one 5'8" tall, weighing 150 pounds, with short dark hair, wearing a blue striped polo shirt and blue jeans; the other 6'1" tall, weighing 180 pounds, with short dark hair, wearing a dark orange shirt and blue jeans.

• Saturday (7.17.10) 8:20 p.m.: In another bicycle bandit incident, a 37-year-old woman walking with her husband in the 100 block of Carondelet (just across Canal Street from Bourbon Street) when the robber swooped by and pulled her purse from her grasp and fled on Common Street toward St. Charles Avenue.

The thief was described as a black guy, 25 to 35 years old, 5'8" tall, weighing 170 pounds, with short hair, wearing a black T-shirt and black pants.

• Sunday (7.18.10) 2:30 a.m.: A 22-year-old white chick (young and dumb, it seems) standing at S. Rampart Street and Tulane Avenue was being chatted up by 2 black dudes and a Mexican male when her iPhone rang. When she took it out to answer it (dumb mistake) one of her new-found friends grabbed it out of her hand and fled with his buddies on foot up S. Rampart toward Poydras Street.

Two of the suspects were described as black, one 18 to 22 years old, 5'6" tall, with a small build and short hair, wearing a black tank top, and the other as having a dark complexion, wearing a blue plaid shirt; the Hispanic dude was 5'10" tall, with a medium build and short hair.

Wanted very badly: 8th District detectives have issued an arrest warrant for Eugene Forrest, one real bad-ass dude. He is wanted for 2 incidents last Tuesday (7.13.10), a simple robbery in Gentilly and an aggravated burglary in the Marigny Triangle.

Forrest, who has been charged with over 43 crimes in the past--ranging from burglary to armed robbery--recently served a 15-year sentence without parole for a whole heap of offenses in 1991. As in the past, he has no qualms about walking right into a victim's business or house and trying to take whatever he wants.

Forrest was developed as a suspect by Det. Jerusha Hillman after he allegedly walked into an unlocked apartment at 2101 Burgundy St. (the corner of Frenchmen Street) around 2:45 p.m. while the 34-year-old male resident was home. The suspect had already lifted the victim's laptop computer when the tenant walked into the room, at which point the robber pulled a pistol and demanded the victim's wallet. The robber fled with the wallet and computer in a black 4-door sedan.

A surveillance video identified the car as a 2009 black 4-door Toyota Camry, bearing Louisiana license plate TIR095; it is registered to an address at 7833 Arcadia Lane in New Orleans East. The video also indicated the suspect may walk with a limp; Forrest, 54, is black, 6'1" tall and weighs 205 pounds.

In the first incident that day, a man believed to be Forrest walked into a business in the 3200 block of Gentilly Boulevard about 9:40 a.m. under the guise of wanting to fill out a job application. He started grabbing the business owner's possessions and then struggled with the victim before fleeing in the black sedan.

Citizens with information about Forrest or can help find him, are asked to call Crimestoppers at 822-1111. There is a $2,500 for information leading to his arrest and indictment. C'mon, turn this scumbag in and make a buck!

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

Thom Kahler