Katrina be damned--rob 'em

Suspected cop killer sought: The NOPD homicide division has identified 20-year-old Joshua Louis Miner as the prime suspect in the murder of Gretna police officer Brett Thomas on 6.27.10 in the French Quarter.

According to investigators, 8th District cops responded to a call of a fight in the 400 block of Bourbon Street around 4 a.m. and upon their arrival, found the Thomas lying on the ground motionless. Emergency medical technicians arrived on the scene and transported the victim to a local hospital where he later died.

The victim was off duty at the time and had accompanied friends to Bourbon Street, when a verbal argument with a group of black guys escalated into a fight. Thomas was struck from behind by one of the blacks which caused him to collapse. The subjects then fled the scene.

During the course of the investigation, Homicide Sgt. Daniel McMullen identified Miner as the person responsible for the death of Officer Thomas and secured an arrest warrant for 2nd-degree murder.

Miner, whose last known address is 3402 Treasure St., is described as 6' tall, weighing 150 pounds,

Citizens with information that can help solve this crime are asked to call Crimestoppers at 822-1111. You could receive a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment. You do not have to give your name nor testify to receive the reward.

No holiday here: You'd think that maybe out of deference to the Katrina commemorations or even the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech, robbers and other various wrongdoers would take a break and reflect. But no, it was more like they were saying, "I have a gun..." And here's what they did with it on Sunday (8.29.10), the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina:

• 2:20 a.m.: A Hispanic couple, he 43 and she 36, were accosted by a bi-racial duo of thugs who proceeded to rob them in the 900 block of Orleans Avenue (between Dauphine and Burgundy streets). A black man stuck something that felt like a gun in the male victim's back while his white accomplice demanded money from the female victim. The victim's complied and the thugs took off on foot on Orleans to Burgundy, turning toward St. Ann Street.

Cops caught up with one of the alleged culprits, Jonathan LeBlanc, 27, and arrested him on 2 counts of 1st-degree robbery. He is sitting in OPP on $80,000 bond, while his alleged accomplice is at large. The police didn't issue any description of the other robber.

• 3:17 a.m.: A waitress walking home from her job in the French Quarter was robbed by 2 black punks armed with handguns who pursued her in the 1900 block of Conti Street in Treme. They fled in a dark green car after lifting 4 or 5 dollars from her, plus her cellphone and debit card.

The thugs were both described as about 20 years old, 5'6" tall, with slim builds, dark complexions, short hair and clean shaven; one was wearing a black T-shirt and black pants, and the other a white shirt and white pants.

• 4:40 a.m.: A 26-year-old white woman had her pursesnatched from her shoulder near Exchange Place and Canal Street by a black guy who then fled across Canal and up Carondelet Street.

He was described as 5'8" tall, weighing 150 pounds.

• 8:11 p.m.: A black dude tried to rob a 49-year-old white woman in the 2100 block of N. Rampart Street (between Frenchmen Street and Elysian Fields Avenue). He pulled a pistol and demanded her money, but when she resisted he clobbered her in the head with the gun, causing a small laceration.

He fled in a 4-door black sedan, but she described him as 20 to 23 years old, 5'9" to 5'11" tall, with a slim build, short hair and clean shaven.

Oh, boy, oh, boy: A 22-year-old white guy out on the town at 3 a.m. last Tuesday (8.24.10) when 2 young black chicks in tight white tanktops joined up with him as he walked near Chartres and St. Peter streets. Soon a black SUV with another black chic driving pulled along side the trio. They got in the vehicle and that's when the white boy noticed the black dude sitting in the back. It wasn't long before the black dude demanded the young fella's wallet. He took some--but not all--the cash from it and handed it back to the victim, who was then dropped off at an unknown location.

When the victim got over his chagrin of being so gullible, he contacted the police 13 hours later. He could only describe the 3 black chics as wearing the tight white tops and blue jeans, and the black due as being in his late 30's. Another tourist meets the underbelly of the French Quarter.

Rapists on the run: Pictures have been posted of 2 suspected rapists that may be roaming the area.

• Early Saturday morning (8.28.10) an adult female was sexually assaulted at Mandeville and Decatur streets in the Faubourg Marigny.

According to investigators, the victim and her female friend met an unknown Hispanic male while they were in a bar on Frenchmen Street in the Marigny Triangle. While inside the bar, the victim went to the restroom. When she returned from the restroom, she did not see her friend in the bar. The Hispanic male told her that her friend had gone to another bar and that her friend asked him to bring her to the other bar. The victim followed the Hispanic male out of the bar and proceeded to walk with him presumably to the other bar.

When the victim and the Hispanic male approached Mandeville and Decatur, he struck the victim in the face. When the victim attempted to run, the suspect grabbed her by her hair and struck her several times in the face and sexually assaulted her. The suspect fled when a passer by approached the intersection.

In the course of the investigation, Det. Clifton Neely learned that a photograph was taken of the suspect while he was inside of the bar (pictured at the right).

• In another case, the FBI is trying to locate Anthony Wayne O'Neal, 39, who is wanted for murder and rape in Texas. He stole the rape victim's car, which was recovered in Rayne, LA, last Monday (8.23.10).

O'Neal is believed to have ties to the New Orleans area. He is 6'3" tall, weighing 180 to 200 pounds; he has recently been seen with short dreadlocks and a goatee. He is considered armed and dangerous.

Any one with information is asked to call the FBI in New Orleans at 816-3000.

Crimes last week in the 8th District

(Click on the crime map below to enlarge it)

Sunday (8.22.10)

Theft, 222 Bourbon, 12:06 a.m.
Aggravated Assault, Magazine & St Joseph, 1:14 a.m.
Theft, 1001 S Peters, 11:18 a.m.
Auto Theft, 333 St Charles, 11:20 a.m.
Bicycle Theft, 222 N Rampart, 4:43 p.m.

Monday (8.23.10)

Armed Robbery, Bienville & Dauphine, 1:56 a.m.
Theft, 2 Poydras, 2:39 a.m.
Auto Theft, 100 Tchoupitoulas, 11:58 a.m.
Theft, 333 O'Keefe, 2:31 p.m.

Tuesday (8.24.10)

Simple Robbery, Chartres & St Ann, 12:09 a.m.
Auto Theft, 600 Constance, 2:56 p.m.
Residence Burglary, 900 block of Esplanade, 4:32 p.m.
Theft, O'Keefe & Poydras, 9:23 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 500 Burgundy, 10:34 p.m.

Wednesday (8.25.10)

Auto Theft, N Rampart & St Louis, 7:32 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 400 Barracks, 10:03 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 124 Royal, 10:44 a.m.
Theft, 137 Royal, 3:08 p.m.
Theft, 135 St Charles, 4:23 p.m.
Shoplifting, 717 Canal, 8:04 p.m.
Theft, 333 Poydras, 9:38 p.m.

Thursday (8.26.10)

Auto Burglary, La Salle & Poydras, 9:35 a.m.
Auto Theft, Baronne & Poydras, 12:33 p.m.

Friday (8.27.10)

Auto Theft, 823 St Louis, 2:13 a.m.
Auto Theft, Bienville & Burgundy, 5:53 a.m.
Auto Theft, Dauphine & Toulouse, 10:03 a.m.
Auto Theft, 938 Lafayette, 12:09 p.m.
Theft, 500 Chartres, 8:06 p.m.
Pickpocketing, 1500 Poydras, 9:13 p.m.
Auto Theft, Andrew Higgins & Tchoupitoulas, 10:01 p.m.

Saturday (8.28.10)

Auto Burglary, 500 Ursulines, 12:56 a.m.
Aggravated Battery, 852 S Peters, 2:40 a.m.
Theft, 440 Bourbon, 3:35 a.m.
Auto Theft, 200 Burgundy, 7:20 a.m.
Auto Theft, 500 Tchoupitoulas, 8:10 a.m.
Theft, 200 Poydras, 9:23 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 700 Esplanade, 2:12 p.m.
Auto Theft, Baronne & Perdido, 3:29 p.m.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

In the heat of the night

Crimes last week in the 8th District

(Click on the crime map below to enlarge it)

Sunday (8.15.10)

Theft, 400 Bourbon, 1:38 a.m.
Auto Theft, 500 Common, 2:45 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 800 Dumaine, 9:44 a.m.
Auto Theft, 920 Conti, 10:01 a.m.
Theft, 817 Common, 5:29 p.m.
Auto Burglary, Gravier & O'Keefe, 5:44 p.m.
Pursesnatching, 640 Bourbon, 8:57 p.m.

Monday (8.16.10)

Auto Theft, Burgundy & St Peter, 12:20 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 806 Conti, 3:55 a.m.
Theft, 843 Camp, 12:55 p.m.

Tuesday (8.17.10)

Auto Burglary, Burgundy & Toulouse, 4:09 a.m.
Aggravated Battery, 2 Canal, 5:14 a.m.
Theft, 621 St Louis, 4:28 p.m.
Theft, 339 Bourbon, 7:56 p.m.
Theft, 300 Poydras, 10:23 p.m.

Wednesday (8.18.10)

Auto Burglary, 1000 St Peter, 9:07 a.m.
Aggravated Assault, Baronne & Poydras, 9:17 a.m.
Theft, Burgundy & St Ann, 12:03 p.m.
Theft, Carondelet & Julia, 6:20 p.m.

Thursday (8.19.10)

Theft, 227 Bourbon, 1:30 a.m.
Theft, 501 Tchoupitoulas, 4:23 a.m.
Theft, 501 Decatur, 5:41 a.m.
Theft, 300 Bourbon, 10:08 a.m.
Theft, 8 Canal, 1:16 p.m.
Auto Theft, S Claiborne & Poydras, 3:18 p.m.
Shoplifting, 601 Julia, 4:01 p.m.
Auto Theft, 210 N Rampart, 5:37 p.m.

Friday (8.20.10)

Auto Burglary, Dauphine & Toulouse, 5:08 a.m.
Auto Theft, 800 S Peters, 11:20 a.m.

Saturday (8.21.10)

Theft, 555 Canal, 4:12 a.m.
Auto Theft, 1940 Dauphine, 4:36 a.m.
Theft, 625 St Ann, 6:35 a.m.
Auto Theft, Andrew Higgins & Annunciation, 12:19 p.m.
Auto Theft, Andrew Higgins & St Charles, 1:41 p.m.
Theft, Bienville & Bourbon, 5:26 p.m.
Theft, 441 Bourbon, 11:05 p.m.
Simple Robbery, 300 Bourbon, 11:51 p.m.

Maybe it was the heat: The week was marked by violence of sorts: threatening a driver, smacking a friend with a board, ramming a wife's car--you know, the kind of stuff that evokes a lonely saxophone wailing from a balcony in the Quarter on a hot August night:

• Sunday (8.22.10) 1:16 a.m.: Demetrius Hayes found himself in a whole heap of trouble after he allegedly fled a hit-and-run accident, resulting in 10 charges--the least of which wasn't aggravated assault with a firearm.

He was also charged with driving while intoxicated, hit-and-run driving, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, disobeying a police officer, and 4 counts of failure to obey a traffic control device.

Hayes, 42, had steered clear of the law for nearly a decade. He was charged for DWI with 4 or more convictions in 2001, but DA Harry Connick had to let him go because he failed to charge him within the legal time allowed.

In his most recent tiff, Hayes allegedly ran into the car of a 30-year-old black man. The victim, outraged when the other driver drove off, took off in pursuit of him. When he caught up with him at Magazine and St. Joseph streets in the Warehouse District, Hayes allegedly got out of his car and pointed "a long black object concealed beneath a towel" at the victim and drove off again. The victim continued his pursuit until police finally caught up with his car and arrested Hayes.

• Wednesday (8.18.10) 9:25 a.m.: A domestic dispute led to David B. Collins, 30, allegedly chasing after his 30-year-old wife in his car.

He allegedly intentionally rammed his car into the rear of hers at Baronne and Poydras streets, then chased her to N. Broad and St. Peter streets, where she managed to elude him.

A warrant was issued for his arrest and he was booked Sunday (8.22.10) on a charge of aggravated assault. He was held on $15,000 bond but managed to bail out after signing a "stay away" order.

• Tuesday (8.17.10) 5:10 a.m.: Vagrants will be vagrants, I guess. Who knows what it was about, but a 36-year-old white guy sleeping behind the World Trade Center, 2 Canal St., was struck in the face with a board by a fellow bum who fled on foot.

Police caught up with Robert Miller, 47, and charged him with 2nd-degree battery. He is being held on $15,000 bond.

• More than a year ago: In one of those "yeah I know him, I just don't know his name" encounters on 4.7.09 in a hotel in the 300 block of O'Keefe Avenue, a black chick was attacked in her room by a black dude who kicked in the door and struck her with a lamp.

Cops finally figured they were looking for Deshawn Freeman, now 29, after showing a photo line-up to the victim who positively identified him on 6.4.09. They issued a warrant for his arrest but weren't able to apprehend him until over a year later on 6.9.10 when he was booked with aggravated battery.

Freeman skedaddled from OPP after posting a $30,000 bond and is running the streets until his 11.9.10 court date.

Only ONE robbery: Can you believe it? Only one robbery in the 8th District all of last week, and that one a phone snatch-and-grab. (The second robbery listed here is technically charged to this week's crimes.)

• Saturday (8.21.10) 12:20 a.m.: A 39-year-old white woman was yakking on her iPhone in the 300 block of Bourbon Street (between Bienville and Conti streets) when a black brat ran up and grabbed the phone from her hand and fled on foot down Bourbon.

The robber was described as 18 to 25 years old, 6' tall, weighing 170 pounds, with short hair, wearing a red T-shirt.

• Monday (8.23.10) 1:55 a.m.: One of 2 white woman standing at Bienville and Dauphine streets was robbed by a black pipsqueak who pulled a gun and demanded money. One victim refused and the perp struck her with his pistol and grabbed the purse from her arm. He fled on foot on Bienville, turning on Burgundy Street toward Conti Street.

He is described as 30 years old, 5'7" tall, weighing 155 pounds, wearing a black long-sleeved shirt and long black pants. (Sounds like a waiter who didn't make enough in tips that night.)

Not kidding around: A 25-year-old French Quarter waiter was arrested and charged with 44 counts of possessing child pornography Thursday (8.19.20).

An on-going investigation of child porn by the Louisiana State Police led them to the apartment of Arthur H. "Hutch" Terry IV in the 700 block of Royal Street where, they said, their investigation indicated someone was downloading child porn from the Internet.

When they executed a search warrant around 2 p.m. Thursday afternoon at that address they found a Dell laptop computer containing 44 sexually-explicit images and videos depicting minors.

Police arrested the 6' 6" tall, 210-pound Terry on 44 counts of possessing child porn. His bond of $110,000 was posted by his parents and he was released from OPP this morning (8.25.10).

If convicted of the charges he could spend 2 to 10 years in prison without parole.

Going out walking: Join Capt. Edwin Hosli and officers of the 8th District for the NOPD's second monthly Crime Walk on Thursday (8.26.10) at 6:30 p.m. in the Warehouse District.

Walks are held simultaneously in all 8 police districts to enables the community and police to come together and walk the beat to meet your neighbors and the police patrolling your neighborhood.

The route this Thursday is:

Begin at 1040 St. Charles Avenue;

Turn right on Andrew Higgins Blvd. (one block);

Turn left on Camp Street (5 blocks);

Turn left and travel through Lafayette Square between North and South Maestri Streets;

Turn left on St. Charles Avenue (half of a block);

Turn left on Girod Street (3 blocks);

Turn right on Tchoupitoulas Street (3 blocks);

Veer right onto Annunciation Street (one block);

Turn right on Poeyfarre Street,

End at Magazine and Poeyfarre (D-Day/American Sector area)

Wipe out graffiti: If you want to help eradicate graffiti from the walls of the French Quarter, the French Quarter Business Association (FQBA), along with other civic groups, is gearing up a second graffiti clean up this Saturday (8.28.10) for citizens to participate in a "hands-on" endeavor dubbed Vieux Carre Graffiti Abatement Program or VC-GAP.

PJ's Coffee Café in the Royal Sonesta Hotel, 300 Bourbon St., is offering all volunteers with VC-GAP cleanup T-shirts, complimentary coffee and pastries from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Volunteers will receive a VC-GAP t-shirt to wear on the 28th, while supplies last when they check in at the 8th District police station's courtyard. The clean-up begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 11:30 a.m.

To volunteer, contact the FQBA office at 504.309.1423 or email graffiti@fqba.org or for more information, visit the website www.fqba.org.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

SPECIAL REPORT: Rebuilding the NOPD

In a 15-page document entitled, "Rebuilding the New Orleans Police Department–First Steps," NOPD Chief Ronal Serpas today (8.23.10) announced the creation of a sweeping plan to greatly enhance the safety of neighborhoods throughout the city by changing the very culture of the NOPD.

Serpas began with 10 principle statements that will provide overall guidance to the NOPD, and contains 65 specific points that, in a very direct way, mandate accountability for each and every employee of the department. (The complete document was emailed to NOcrimeline subscribers.)

At the same time, the department is committing itself to restoring the confidence and trust of New Orleans' families by working closely with individual neighborhoods throughout the 8 police districts to reduce crime and improve quality of life.

"This is a no-nonsense plan that integrates, many for the first time, a number of law enforcement best practices in the New Orleans Police Department," Serpas said. "Many of these programs have been or are being implemented; others will take effect in the coming months.

"New Orleanians expect me to restore their faith in this police department," said Serpas. "It is a responsibility that I take very seriously, which is why this plan repeatedly emphasizes the clear expectation that NOPD's rank and file will work to understand neighborhood problems at the grassroots level and work collaboratively to address those problems.

"The 65-point plan is broken down into four categories: Crime Fighting, Community Outreach and Transparency, Integrity-Accountability, and Hiring-Training-Labor Relations.

Key issues identified among the 65 points include:

• The establishment of Community Coordinating Sergeants (CoCos) in each of the 8 districts who are responsible for developing relationships with Neighborhood Watch Groups and businesses.

• The establishment of Narcotics Investigation Teams in each district to attack street level drug issues.

• Revise the hiring standards of the NOPD to seek candidates who meet the highest standards of education, experience and show the greatest potential to succeed as police officers.

• The NOPD and Maj. Gen. Bennett Landreneau have reached an agreement to provide Leadership Training to Police Sergeants and Lieutenants at Louisiana Army National Guard facilities.

• The NOPD and Col. Mike Edmonson, State Police commander, are collaborating on a complete overhaul of NOPD annual In-Service Training and Recruit Training programs for 2011 and beyond.

• Prohibit officers from accepting "cash" payments for police-related secondary employment.

• Presumptive termination for any employee who makes a materially false statement with the intent to deceive.

• Presumptive termination for any employee, who knowingly makes, or causes to be made, a false or inaccurate oral or written report of an official nature.

• A new failure to report misconduct policy to hold employees accountable to report observed misconduct, or be sanctioned at a minimum to the conduct observed but not reported.

• A new failure to cooperate/withhold information policy. Absent a legal cause, it is a violation punishable in addition to the underlying allegation to fail to cooperate/withhold information.

• The establishment of a Violent Criminal Abatement Team.

• Supplying fingerprint kits and training to all patrol officers so that key fingerprint evidence at crime scenes can be collected and used to prosecute offenders.

• The establishment of an expanded and revitalized Citizen Police Academy.

• The creation of a Citizen Advisory Panel.

• The establishment of an EI Protector Program to engage the Hispanic/Latino community.

"This 65-point plan will put us on the road toward a more professional police department and a safer New Orleans," Serpas said. "But this is only a start. There will be much, much more to do even after the full implementation of all 65 points."

"I recognize there will be those in the police department who will disagree or object to some of these points," Serpas said. "They must understand that this plan is in the best interest of this city, the citizens we serve and the professionalism of our officers.

"If anyone cannot embrace these needed changes, we will replace them with dedicated police professionals who will."

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

3 out of 4 ain't bad

Crimes last week in the 8th District

(Click on the crime map below to enlarge it)

Sunday (8.8.10)

6:21 a.m.: Auto Burglary, 520 Dauphine
10:48 a.m.: Theft, 555 Canal
6:58 p.m.: Theft, 721 Bourbon
10:33 p.m.: Armed Robbery, 800 Iberville

Monday (8.9.10)

9:14 a.m.: Theft, 228 Poydras
12:06 p.m.: Shoplifting, 134 Royal
12:13 p.m.: Auto Theft, 200 Girod
2:37 p.m.: Theft, 800 Tchoupitoulas
3:06 p.m.: Theft, 314 St Joseph
4:37 p.m.: Auto Theft, 400 Notre Dame
9:55 p.m.: Auto Theft, Andrew Higgins & Annunciation

Tuesday (8.10.10)

9:47 a.m.: Theft , 500 Fulton

Wednesday (8.11.10)

7:52 a.m.: Theft, 1615 Poydras
2:09 p.m.: Shoplifting, 945 Magazine
4:04 p.m.: Theft, 800 Canal

Thursday (8.12.10)

1:57 a.m.: Auto Theft, 700 Orleans
8:11 a.m.: Pursesnatching, S Rampart & Union
3:39 p.m.: Auto Theft, Poydras & Tchoupitoulas
4:38 p.m.: Theft, 623 Frenchmen
9:33 p.m.: Auto Theft, 100 Conti

Friday (8.13.10)

9:33 a.m.: Shoplifting, 134 Royal
2:52 p.m.: Theft, 901 Bourbon
8:53 p.m.: Theft, 200 Poydras

Saturday (8.14.10)

2:27 a.m.: Simple Robbery, Orleans & Royal
8:35 a.m.: Shoplifting, 134 Royal
10:26 a.m.: Auto Theft, 210 O"Keefe
11:04 a.m.: Theft, 441 Bourbon
3:19 p.m.: Auto Theft, Girod & Tchoupitoulas
4:31 p.m.: Auto Theft, Julia & Tchoupitoulas
5:19 p.m.: Auto Theft, 1420 Burgundy
9:56 p.m.: Theft, 124 Royal

Putting the brakes on another bike bandit: 8th District detectives last Thursday (8.12.10) positively identified and arrested Calvin Robinson as the culprit in an armed robbery in July.

Robinson, 21, was already in OPP after being arrested on 8.1.10 for 2 other armed robberies in June.

The armed robbery the 8th District detectives claim the collar for is one that happened 7.16.10 around 2:20 a.m. in front of 1014 Ursulines Ave. when a black dude rode up on his bicycle and robbed a woman at gunpoint. He was described as in his 20's, with short hair, and wearing a white polo shirt and black shorts.

At that time, detectives said they believed this robbery was related to one that happened a few days earlier on 7.13.10 in the 1700 block of Pauger Street in the Marigny Triangle. In that case, the robber got the wallet of a 27-year-old man at gunpoint around 11:02 p.m. before fleeing on a red and white mountain bike. The thief was described as in his mid-20's, 5'10' tall, wearing a dark shirt and tan shorts.

There's no word whether detectives have linked Robinson as a suspect in that case. But in case they do, they'll probably find him still sitting in OPP; he's being held on $550,000 bond.

Pursesnatchers bagged: In 3 pursesnatchings in the past week--with the robbers working in pairs in 2 cases--8th District cops managed to bag 2 of the robbers, breaking up their tandem tag teams:

• Sunday (8.15.10) 9:15 p.m.: A white woman of undetermined age sitting in the Krazy Korner bar, 640 Bourbon St., had her purse snatched not once, but twice.

Two black dudes came up to her and one grabbed her purse from her lap. As he fled out the door of the bar, he dropped the purse and the victim attempted to retrieve it. Then the second jumped into action and tried to take the purse from the victim again, but she resisted and the second thug fled.

Officers soon caught up with the second guy, Ronald W. Gordon Jr., 20, and charged him with pursesnatching and 2 counts of simple battery. He's sitting in OPP on $15,000 bond while his buddy is running free.

• Saturday (8.14.10) 3:15 a.m.: Two white guys victimized a 27-year-old white woman walking near Orleans Avenue and Royal Street when they grabbed her purse and fled.

Police arrested Richard M. Dennis, 21, and retrieved the victim's purse from him. He managed to post $15,000 bond a couple of days later and got out of OPP. His accomplice is still on the lam.

• Thursday (8.12.10) 8:10 a.m.: A 56-year-old white woman managed to out-tug a young black thug and hang onto her purse. The thug struck as she was walking near S. Rampart and Union streets in broad daylight. He tried to grab her bag from her grasp, but she hung on and managed to maintain control of her purse. The outwitted nitwit fled in a white Jeep Cherokee which zoomed up S. Rampart toward Poydras Street.

He was described as 5'7" tall, weighing 160 pounds, with a thin build, wearing a white polo shirt and khaki pants.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

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