Bringing in the thieves

Hanging up phone thieves: 8th District detectives believe they've nabbed the culprits who pulled off the heists of 3 iPhones last Sunday (5.22.11) with the arrest of Dwight Murray Jr. (left), 18, and Horace Toppins (right), 19, on Wednesday (5.25.11).

According to a NOPD report, police saw a vehicle with a license plate that was mentioned in a French Quarter robbery and pulled over the driver. Detectives found a stolen iPhone in the car and linked Murray and Toppins to the 3 cellphone robberies on Sunday.

Det. Tindell Murdock developed Murray and Toppins as suspects just 2 days after the string of robberies on Sunday after learning they were selling the stolen phones on the street.

Murray was charged with the simple robbery at 1:15 a.m. in the 700 block of Burgundy Street. Toppins was charged with simple robbery for one at 4:30 a.m. in the 500 block of Burgundy. Both were charged with simple robbery for another one that evening at 7:30 p.m. at Burgundy and St. Peter streets.

The wages of sin must pay pretty well. Both suspects managed to raise $20,000 bail apiece and got out of OPP on Thursday (5.26.11), just 24 hours after being arrested. Beware: they're out there amongst you.

Wild woman tamed: 8th District detectives caught up with another of the wild women who terrorized tourists (i.e. men with more dollars than sense) earlier in the year.

Alicia Ford, 27, was arrested late last month and charged with theft and illegal possession of stolen things. She got out of OPP on $10,000 bond.

She is suspected of being one of the 2 women who allegedly went back to a gentleman's room with him to 815 Toulouse St. on 1.26.11 and after he went to sleep, robbed him of his credit cards, $1,200 in cash, and his iPod. They also allegedly stole $3,000 and an iPod from the victim's friend who was staying in an adjoining room.

Ford was arrested last December for various credit card offenses, and pled guilty 4.23.11 to a single charge of theft. Big-hearted Judge Ben Willard gave her a 6-month suspended sentence with inactive probation. She was arrested a week later for the January offenses in the French Quarter.

Still at large is Donta Givans, 27, a convicted prostitute, who is believed to be one of 3 women a man brought back to his room at the Chateau Lemoyne Holiday Inn on 2.13.11. While in the room, one of the women stole $6,000 from the victim while the other 2, ahem, "distracted" him.

Have you seen her?: 8th District detective Jerusha Hillman is looking for a 53-year-old woman who once worked for a French Quarter apartment rental company.

Cynthia Hughes Rogers is wanted on 7 counts of theft and 8 counts of fraud for embezzling over $60,000, including purchasing a car through fraudulent means, from her employer over a 6-month period.

Rogers may be driving a 2007 pearl-colored Lexus GS and is known to frequent LaPlace, Baton Rouge, Reserve, and Houston, TX.

Ding! Ding! Ding!: After being relatively quiet for a long while in the French Quarter, the bad guys lit up the 8th District's crime map last week like a pinball machine. Welcome to the 8th District, Cmdr. Walls.

There were 5 armed robberies, 7 simple robberies (like iPhone heists), 32 thefts, 9 car thefts and 7 car break-ins--add to that a couple of rapes and the audacity of a shooting victim to die in the 8th District after being gunned down in the Bywater.

Here's what happened:

• Saturday (5.21.11) 1:16 a.m.: A 23-year-old white guy walking in the 300 block of Chartres Street (between Bienville and Conti streets) was grabbed by a black thug who demanded his money. The victim broke free of his attacker's grasp and fled.

His assailant was described as 35 to 40 years old, 6' tall, with a thin build, wearing a dark-colored windbreaker and khaki shorts.

• Saturday (5.21.11) 2:00 a.m.: 3 white guys, one 22 and the others 24, were walking in the 400 block of Chartres Street (between Conti and St. Louis streets) when they were accosted by 2 armed black dudes.

Cops soon caught up with Kevin Knight, 23, and booked him on 3 counts of first-degree robbery. He is in OPP on $75,000 bond. His accomplice is on the loose.

• Saturday (5.21.11) 3:30 a.m.: A patron of Club Tango, at Bienville and Burgundy streets, found it wasn't wise to bring a knife to a gunfight. When a bouncer tried to eject Gregory Cohn, 31, from the bar, police say Cohn pulled a knife from his waistband and threatened the bouncer; the bouncer drew his legally-owned pistol and disarmed Cohn.

Cohn was charged with aggravated assault, but quickly posted the $7,500 bond.

• Monday (5.23.11) 3:15 a.m.: A 20-year-old black woman and two 21-year-old white women escaped being shot at Decatur and St. Philip streets when they tussled with a black thug who pulled a gun and demanded their purses. One woman ran away while the other 2 struggled with the robber, causing his weapon to fire. He grabbed one of their purses and fled on foot.

He was described as 20 to 25 years old, 5'10" tall, with a medium build, wearing a white T-shirt and dark-colored jeans.

• Tuesday (5.24.11) 2:15 a.m.: Two black hoodlums were caught on video surveillance cameras after they robbed 2 tourists in the CBD. The victims were walking back to their hotel in the CBD after a night on Bourbon Street when they ran into the 2 black guys in the 200 block of Carondelet Street, just across Canal Street, and asked them where they could find a restaurant that was open. The 2 blacks said they would take them to one around the corner in the 700 block of Gravier Street.

There they struggled to relieve the tourists of their cellphones, credit cards, driver's licenses, hotel room key and approximately $100 in cash before fleeing on foot.

• Tuesday (5.24.11) 10:45 a.m.: A 71-year-old white lady was mugged by a black thug in the 300 block of St. Joseph Street, near the Convention Center. He pulled a gun and demanded her purse, which she gave up.

The robber was described as 25 to 30 years old, with short hair, wearing a black and white striped shirt and dark-colored pants.

• Wednesday (5.25.11) 2:10 a.m.: Two black thieves came up empty-handed when they knocked a 48-year-old white man to the ground in the 800 block of St. Ann Street (between Bourbon and Dauphine streets).

The victim said he felt his attackers reach into his pants pockets, but the pockets were empty. He was unable to give a description of the men.

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Crimes last week in the 8th District
(Click on the crime map to enlarge it)
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As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome at NOcrimeline@gmail.com

Thom Kahler

The "i"s have it

Some never learn: You would have thought that by now citizens would have learned the danger of walking and talking (or texting, or whatever) with their iPhones. But in the past week there's been a new wave of iPhone thefts. (You would have thought the robbers would've learned the location of the phones can be easily traced.):

• Tuesday (5.17.11) 12:20 p.m.: A 23-year-old white woman nearly lost her iPhone to 2 black boys who just wouldn't give up.

They first accosted her while she was walking in the 900 block of Gravier Street and tried to grab her phone, but failed and ran away.

The woman went around the corner and there, in the 300 block of Baronne Street, the same 2 punks confronted her again, one telling her he had a gun and demanded her phone. She refused and ducked into a business.

The little hoodlums fled on foot. They were both described as 15 to 17 years old, 5'5" to 5'7" tall, with thin builds; one was wearing a yellow and black hat, black T-shirt and baggy pants; the other had shoulder-length dreadlocks and was wearing a white T-shirt and baggy pants.

(Two days later, 8th District detectives figured out the identity of one of the teen thugs and issued a warrant for his arrest. They didn't have to wait long--he was arrested a few hours later in the NOPD's 3rd District while burglarizing a car there.)

• Wednesday (5.18.11) 8:35 p.m.: A 25-year-old woman walking in the 1100 block of Bourbon Street (between Gov. Nicholls and Ursulines streets) was not so lucky. A black thug came up and grabbed her iPhone out of her hand and took off running toward Esplanade Avenue.
  

He was described as 6' tall, weighing 220 pounds, with short hair, wearing a black and white hat and a white T-shirt and khaki pants.

• Saturday (5.21.11) 2:00 a.m.: A 25-year-old white man lost his iPhone to a black thief who grabbed it out of his hand in the 600 block of Convention Center Boulevard.

The robber was described as 18 to 25 years old, with a thin build, light complexion and short hair, wearing a gray polo shirt and blue jeans.

• Saturday (5.21.11) 2:40 a.m.: A 27-year-old white woman standing in the 100 block of Dauphine Street (just off Canal Street) had her iPhone stolen by a black guy who grabbed it from her hand and took off running on Iberville Street toward N. Rampart Street (and the housing project, natch).

She was unable to give a complete description of the robber.

• Sunday (5.22.11): A series of 3 iPhone thefts, all within 2 blocks of each other on Burgundy Street (between St. Louis and Orleans streets), all on Sunday, all by a young black punk, may very well be related:

• 1:15 a.m.: A 27-year-old white man walking in the 700 block of Burgundy had his iPhone snatched from his hand by a black boy who fled on foot toward Orleans.

The robber was described as 17 to 25 years old, with medium-length dreadlocks, wearing a white T-shirt and dark pants.

• 4:30 a.m.: A 22-year-old white fella walking in the 500 block of Burgundy was attacked by a black boy who came up and slugged him and demanded his iPhone. He complied and the robber fled on foot toward Orleans.

His attacker was described as 17 to 21 years old, 5'7" tall, with a thin build, wearing a gray pullover sweatshirt (in 80-degree weather?)

• 7:30 p.m.: This time in the evening, it looks like the same thug brought a buddy with him to rob a 27-year-old white woman who was standing in the 700 block of Burgundy. One of the crooks grabbed the iPhone from her hand and both boys fled on foot toward Orleans.

Both were described as 17 to 26 years old, 5'8" tall, with slender builds.

Rest of the robberies: Not all robberies last week were so specialized...and some culprits were actually caught:

• Monday (5.16.11) 10:25 p.m.: Two white men, 23, walking in the 700 block of Ursulines Avenue (between Bourbon and Royal streets) were accosted by 2 black thugs, one of whom pulled a pistol and demanded their cellphones. The victims refused and fled on foot.

Cops later apprehended one of the suspects, Ikeem Clark, 19, and charged him with attempted armed robbery. He is being held on only $10,000 bond. His accomplice is still at large.

• Wednesday (5.18.11) 12: 30 a.m.: A 21-year-old white woman walking with a friend in the 200 block of Camp Street (just off Canal Street in the CBD) was struck by a white thug who then snatched her purse.

He was described as 5'7" tall, with short dark hair, wearing a dark-colored long-sleeved shirt and baggy blue jeans.

• Thursday (5.19.11) 1:35 p.m.: A 38-year-old white woman walking in the 400 block of S. Rampart Street in the CBD was accosted by a black thug who pushed her and snatched her purse. He fled on foot through a parking lot toward Loyola Avenue.

He was described as 5'10" tall, with a heavy build, wearing a black shirt and black pants.

• Friday (5.20.11) 3:30 a.m.: A 24-year-old white woman was robbed in the 1300 block of Bourbon Street near Esplanade Avenue by 2 black cretins, one of whom stuck what she thought was a gun in her back. They settled for her purse and fled on foot toward Barracks Street.

She described one as 5'10" to 6' tall, with short twists in his hair; the other she only described as being 5'10" tall.

• Friday (5.20.11) 7:10 p.m.: A 26-year-old white woman walking in the 1000 block of St. Charles Avenue near St. Joseph Street nearly had her purse snatched by a black guy who fled on foot when she resisted.

He was described as 5'10" tall, with a thin build, wearing a tan zip-up sweatshirt and shorts.

• Friday (5.20.11) 7:45 p.m.: A 45-year-old black lady walking in the 1000 block of St. Louis Street, too close to N. Rampart Street, was robbed of her purse by a gun-wielding black thug who then fled on foot through a parking lot.

He was described as 5'9" tall, with a thin build, wearing a black hat, dark t-shirt and dark jeans.

Guess it wasn't: Remember that "rape" we noted that supposedly happened at the Chartres House Cafe on Easter afternoon? It seemed a little fishy: a busy restaurant on a Sunday afternoon in the middle of the day.

Now the DA is refusing to press charges against Creighton Williams, 18. Nevertheless, they held him in OPP for a month on $100,000 bond before they decided a crime wasn't committed or that he hadn't done it and released him from lock-up.

This is the problem of not getting crime reports on sex crimes. Who knows what happened? You ask the investigators for it and you're told to contact the Public Affairs Division. The PAD has no system for automatically reporting sex crimes so you know what's going on. If you think it should, contact Remi Braden, commander of what's supposed to be the NOPD's official mouthpiece.

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Crimes last week in the 8th District

(Click on the crime map to enlarge it)

Sunday (5.8.11)

Rape, 1400 Canal, 4:36 a.m.
Auto Theft, 422 Notre Dame, 11:03 a.m.
Simple Robbery, 145 Elk, 2:35 p.m.

Monday (5.9.11)

Theft, 124 St Charles, 1:59 a.m.
Theft, 344 Camp, 4:30 a.m.
Theft, 800 Decatur, 9:44 a.m.
Residence Burglary, 500 Gravier, 10:08 a.m.
Business Burglary, 705 Gov Nicholls, 10:26 a.m.
Theft, 909 Poydras, 2:14 p.m.
Theft, 601 Poydras, 7:29 p.m.
Auto Burglary, Commerce & Julia, 7:54 p.m.
Business Burglary, 727 Carondelet, 10:59 p.m.

Tuesday (5.10.11)

Armed Robbery, Chartres & Dumaine, 2:49 a.m.
Auto Theft, 400 St Joseph, 6:54 a.m.
Shoplifting, 1015 Decatur, 9:25 a.m.
Theft, 301 Canal, 1:45 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 838 Baronne, 4:57 p.m.
Theft, Common & Magazine, 8:33 p.m.
Aggravated Assault, Chartres & St Peter, 10:14 p.m.
Armed Robbery, 800 St Peter, 10:33 p.m.

Wedesday (5.11.11)

Theft, 1241 Decatur, 12:05 a.m.
Pickpocketing, 300 Burgundy, 5:13 a.m.
Theft, 811 Iberville, 6:10 a.m.
Auto Theft, 1400 Royal, 8:58 a.m.
Residence Burglary, 1000 block of St Peter, 12:33 p.m.
Shoplifting, 301 Canal, 1:20 p.m.
Shoplifting, 700 Royal, 1:39 p.m.

Thursday (5.12.11)

Rape, 1200 Chartres, 1:29 a.m.
Theft, 1734 N Rampart, 5:56 a.m.
Theft, 228 Poydras, 12:19 p.m.
Shoplifting, 701 Royal, 2:55 p.m.
Auto Burglary, Conti & Rampart, 4:43 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 801 Magazine, 7:37 p.m.
Aggravated Battery, 500 St Ann, 9:43 p.m.

Friday (5.13.11)

Bicycle Theft, 500 Dauphine, 2:47 a.m.
Aggravated Battery, 900 Canal, 10:36 a.m.
Theft, 910 Iberville, 11:23 p.m.

Saturday (5.14.11)

Auto Theft, 800 Commerce, 3:16 a.m.
Theft, 900 Convention Center, 9:44 a.m.
Auto Burglary, Bienville & N Rampart, 10:40 a.m.
Shoplifting, 232 Bourbon, 11:05 a.m.
Theft, 900 Chartres, 11:22 a.m.
Shoplifting, Decatur & Iberville, 3:30 p.m.
Theft, 930 Poydras, 6:02 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 716 Iberville, 10:16 p.m.

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

Thom Kahler

Takes one to know one

Et tu, Capt. Morton?: Capt. Frederick C. Morton, who did the inspection of the 8th District and blew the whistle on Cmdr. Eddie Hosli for forming a company that ran the detail monitoring traffic cameras, may not be so innocent himself.

A check of the Secretary of State's roster of LLCs and corporations seems to show that a "Frederick C. Morton" is an agent or officer in at least 2 security companies.

There may be as many as 8 companies, depending on how many Frederick C. Mortons there are. Capt. Morton signed his report on the 8th District as "Frederick C. Morton," but in the state records there is a Frederick C. Morton, a Frederick C. Morton Jr., and a Frederick C. Morton IV (but curiously, no III).

At 42, if he's the senior "Morton" without "Sr." after his name it's unlikely he sired a "Jr." or a "IV". Is it all the same person? Just what is the lineage? And why isn't that reflected in his signature?

The 2 security firms--Rosewood Watchmen LLC and S & E Security Management LLC--share the same address: 69219 Rowell St., Mandeville. Both were founded in 2009. Rosewood lists only Morton IV as the agent; S & E lists Frederick C. Morton as the agent and Frederick Morton IV (without the "C") as a member.

Rosewood also lists a Susan "Smelton" (notice the "m"), of the same address, as an officer. S & E lists a Susan "Shelton" (notice the "h"), of the same address, as an officer.

Curiously, on March 3, 2011, about the time Morton was concluding his report on Hosli's involvement in a corporation, there was a resignation of one of Rosewood's officer, although the state record doesn't indicate who.

Considering the errors of fact Capt. Morton made in his scathing report on the 8th District, it's not surprising if he made similar errors in reporting his own business dealings.

On high ground: We've heard that the big topic of discussion at last week's 8th District COMSTAT meeting was the number of out-of-state hookers who've flooded the city.

They've apparently fled inundated cities up river and have doubled the 50 or so who ply their trade in the French Quarter.

Speaking of which: Two rapes were reported in the 8th District last week, but no word from the NOPD about what's going on. However, cops did arrest one perpetrator for a rape in the 1400 block of Canal Street (in the infamous hotel there?) on Sunday (5.8.11) around 4:36 a.m.

They charged an immigrant, Luis Castellanos, 30, with simple robbery and aggravated rape. He's being held in OPP on a $300,000 bond.

You'd think with a robbery involved, the NOPD would tell you how it went down so other women can avoid becoming victims in the same way. (If you want to know, maybe the NOPD's new high-priced Public Affairs Division commander can fill you in.)

Can't we all just get along?: What is it with violence lately in the French Quarter? Seems like everyone wants to show how tough they are:

• Tuesday (5.10.11) 10:14 p.m. and 10:25 p.m.: Two black teenage punks, one 15 and the other 13, were apprehended after terrorizing tourists near Jackson Square.

• In the first incident, they threatened a 52-year-old white man sitting on a bench near Chartres and St. Peter streets by showing him the pistol one of them had under his shirt before fleeing on foot on St. Peter toward Bourbon Street.

• In the second case, the young felons held up a 43-year-old Asian man who was walking in the 800 block of St. Peter between Bourbon and Dauphine Street. One put his hand under his shirt, implying he had a gun, and demanded the man's money; his accomplice cleaned out the victim's pockets.

The question is: Why didn't cops see these young punks--who were in violation of curfew--before they could terrorize these citizens?

• Thursday (5.12.11) 9:40 p.m.: Two white guys, one 25, the other 31, sitting on a bench in the 500 block of St. Ann Street, next to Jackson Square, were slashed and stabbed in the hand and abdomen by another white guy who pulled a knife when an argument got too heated.

Police rounded up a guy the victims described as 5'9" tall, weighing 155 pounds, wearing a white cowboy hat and a black shirt and blue jeans (not too hard to spot, even in the Quarter). But the victims refused to view a line-up with the suspect's picture in it.

The report concluded that detectives believe the incident was a dispute between friends, after initially reporting that the assailant was an "unknown" male.

• Friday (5.13.11) 10:30 a.m.: A 51-year-old white man standing in the 900 block of Canal Street, near the Ritz-Carlton, was stabbed by a black guy wielding a shiv. Cops quickly arrested Quincy Smedley, 23, and charged him with aggravated battery. He is being held on $25,000 bond in OPP.
  

Stick'em ups: Robbers we always have with us:

• Saturday (5.7.11) 4:10 a.m.: 8th District detectives, with the help of St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's deputies, nabbed one of 2 suspects who allegedly robbed a 29-year-old black man who had just gotten into his car in the 500 block of Bienville Street (between Decatur and Chartres streets).

One of the robbers got into the victim's car through the passenger door. When the victim tried to exit through the driver's side door, he saw the other robber standing near the door and brandishing a handgun. The robbers took the victim's watch and cash, fleeing on foot toward the river.

When detectives got an anonymous tip that one of the robbers was headed to "da Parish" to sell the watch, they notified deputies there who flooded the area of Judge Perez Drive. They stopped Larry Rudolph, 48, who was driving a black late-model Saturn Ion, and 8th District detectives arrested him for armed robbery. Rudolph, according to the NOPD, was also charged with a drug offense in St. Bernard and will be transferred to Orleans Parish after than case concludes.

The NOPD issued a composite sketch of the second suspect (pictured right), who is still at large, but didn't provide any description of him.

• Saturday (5.7.11) 2:40 p.m.: Another iPhone, another thief. You just can't be too careful when you whip your iPhone out to take a picture, text a message, or talk, no matter if it is in broad daylight. A 38-year-old woman learned that the hard way when she was taking a picture at Bourbon and St. Peter streets, a black thug ran up and grabbed it away.

He was described as 5'6" tall, wearing a red shirt and baggy blue jeans.

• Sunday (5.8.11) 2:35 p.m.: You know, when you count out big sums of money in plain sight, you're just bound to attract thieves. The manager of the Walgreen's at Elk Place and Tulane Avenue learned that while counting money at the front cash register and a black dude came up and grabbed the loot out of the manager's hand.

The robber was described as 30 years old, 6'2" tall, with a slim build and bald head, wearing a white T-shirt and tan pants.

• Tuesday (5.10.11) 2:30 a.m.: A 36-year-old white man walking in the 600 block of Chartres Street (between Toulouse and St. Peter streets) was held up at gunpoint by a black crook who demanded his money before fleeing on foot toward Esplanade Avenue.

The robber was said to be 25 to 30 years old, 6' tall, weighing 190 bounds, wearing a white T-shirt and dark-colored shorts.

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Crimes last week in the 8th District

(Click on the crime map to enlarge it)

Sunday (5.1.11)

Theft, 227 Bourbon, 2:11 a.m.
Auto Theft, 300 John Churchill Chase, 2:18 a.m.
Pickpocketing, 227 Bourbon, 3:10 a.m.
Theft, 500 Bourbon, 3:14 a.m.
Pursesnatching, Bourbon & Esplanade, 8:12 p.m.

Monday (5.2.11)

Armed Robbery, 600 Burgundy, 12:54 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 700 Frenchmen, 8:40 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 923 Constance, 8:56 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 1933 N Rampart, 11:29 a.m.
Auto Theft, 801 Chartres, 2:35 p.m.

Tuesday (5.3.11)

Theft, 228 Poydras, 12:25 p.m.
Theft, 700 Frenchmen, 1:51 p.m.
Shoplifting, 1018 Canal, 1:59 p.m.
Business Burglary, 535 Tchoupitoulas, 2:47 p.m.
Theft, 955 Howard, 4:00 p.m.
Shoplifting, 529 Bourbon, 5:26 p.m.
Theft, 414 Burgundy, 5:29 p.m.

Wednesday (5.4.11)

Auto Theft, Commerce & Notre Dame, 6:50 a.m.
Theft, 301 Dauphine, 9:09 a.m.
Simple Burglary, 617 Kerlerec, 10:52 a.m.
Simple Robbery, 407 Bourbon, 10:55 a.m.
Auto Theft, 700 S Rampart, 11:32 a.m.
Theft, 723 Canal, 12:29 p.m.
Theft, 417 S Rampart, 2:18 p.m.
Theft, 8 Canal, 2:41 p.m.
Theft, 344 Camp, 6:01 p.m.
Theft, 801 Bourbon, 10:18 p.m.

Thursday (5.5.11)

Auto Theft, 500 Constance, 12:55 a.m.
Theft, 1024 Chartres, 1:17 a.m.
Armed Robbery, 700 Dumaine, 2:29 a.m.
Armed Robbery, 1400 Chartres, 3:41 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 2100 Chartres, 5:50 a.m.
Theft, 555 Canal, 5:34 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 902 Julia, 9:09 a.m.
Auto Theft, Carondelet & St Joseph, 12:42 p.m.
Shoplifting, 211 Decatur, 12:51 p.m.
Theft, Bourbon & Canal, 5:16 p.m.
Auto Burglary, Lafayette & S Rampart, 6:44 p.m.
Simple Burglary, 835 Julia, 8:23 p.m.

Friday (5.6.11)

Auto Burglary, 300 Burgundy, 12:46 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 1000 Conti, 3:34 a.m.
Theft, 500 St Charles, 4:02 a.m.
Simple Robbery, 400 Dauphine, 5:35 a.m.
Business Burglary, 601 Baronne, 8:10 a.m.
Theft, 1601 Gravier, 12:20 p.m.
Auto Burglary, N Front & Iberville, 2:50 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 235 S Villere, 8:11 p.m.
Auto Burglary, Conti & N Rampart, 8:55 p.m.
Theft, 503 Bourbon, 10:49 p.m.

Saturday (5.7.11)

Armed Robbery, 500 Bienville, 4:13 a.m.
Theft, 200 Bourbon, 6:44 a.m.
Auto Theft, 2100 Royal, 7:48 a.m.
Bicycle Theft, Frenchmen & Royal, 1:01 p.m.
Shoplifting, 301 Canal, 1:13 p.m.
Theft, 624 Royal, 1:45 p.m.
Theft, 921 Canal, 1:47 p.m.
Simple Robbery, Bourbon & St Peter, 2:54 p.m.

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

Thom Kahler

It ain't no hangin' crime

Never mind that it sometimes takes 8 minutes to get a response to your emergency when you call 911. Never mind that the homicide rate in the city is ballooning out of sight. What's bothering Mayor Mitch Landrieu the most is that some city cops are trying to make a few extra bucks.

So he has overstepped his authority and meted out "justice" to a few of them. Just two days after saying he would wait for the results of an investigation by the city's inspector general and the NOPD's Public Integrity Bureau into the monitoring of the red-light traffic cameras, Landrieu suspended 8th District Cmdr. Edwin Hosli (left) without pay last week.

The only apparent transgression was that Hosli violated some arcane regulation prohibiting a city employee from forming a company to do business with the city. But in his rush to judgment, Landrieu (right) usurped Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas' authority and issued the suspension while the chief was out of town, in Baton Rouge on city business. Maybe Landrieu felt he was doing him a favor by not forcing Serpas to suspend Hosli, his best friend.

Not all crimes are the same; the penalty for assault is far different than for murder. Forming a corporation--as Hosli did to monitor the red-light tickets--is certainly not heinous. Hosli hired police officers he knew--including Serpas' son-in-law who is a narcotics detective in the 8th District--to review video of traffic infractions before tickets are issued.

There was no accusation of overcharging the city.

There was no accusation that the work wasn't done right.

What there was is the animosity toward the red-light cameras--largely by scofflaws who are now being reigned in. They scorn the cameras as a money-making scheme by the city rather than a safety system that is highly effective. Their disdain is also directed at those enforcing the law.

What caught some eyes was that Hosli's company was billing the camera contractor about $10K every 2 weeks, $20,000 for reviewing 20,000 infractions a month--a dollar a ticket doesn't sound like a bad deal, considering New Orleans nets $18 million from those ignoring the law. And studies show red-light cameras are instrumental in reducing traffic fatalities.

Others say Hosli was trying to hide the company in his wife's name. No he wasn't. If you search the Secretary of State's database of corporations under Edwin C. Hosli Jr., up pops Anytime Solutions Inc., listing him as vice-president and his wife, Michelle Austin, as president. (Hosli even lists his home address in Kenner, not such a good idea, but very transparent.) It's all right there in front of you.

Such a set-up lets Hosli pick NOPD officers he trusts to do the work and delegates to Michelle the paperwork (signing them to W-4 forms, keeping track of their hours and writing them checks for their work, issuing W-2s or 1099s at the end of the year, and filing all the corporations federal and state tax forms). Hosli's corporation doesn't bill the city directly; he bills a sub-contractor of the company running the red-light camera system, which in turn bills the city.

There's nothing clandestine in processing it all through a corporation--not like paying officers under the table, as you can bet is the way many details are handled. Paid details--off-duty officers working for private employers--have long been part of many cops' pay in New Orleans and many other cities.

For instance, the Lower Quarter Crime Watch, when I was secretary 2002-2004, paid an off-duty officers $20 an hour to patrol 4 hours a night; an 8th District ranking officers was paid $100 a month to schedule the patrolmen. Other areas of the city have security details that hire off-duty cops to police their neighborhoods.

There's no reason to believe there was anything illicit in the way these officers were hired or paid, but the feds in their report on the NOPD in March noted the potential for corruption and urged a reform of the NOPD's system. Serpas has already forbidden cash payments to officers and is working on a complete overhaul that should be submitted to the mayor on Monday (5.15.11).

Even with new regulations, it's not likely that Hosli violated the old ones--at least not intentionally. You have to ask: What harm was done? Hosli has served the NOPD honestly and loyally for over 30 years. To kick him to the curb now would be a disservice. His heart has been part of the NOPD since he was a boy of 12, when his father--Sgt. Edwin Hosli Sr.--was gunned down in the line of duty by a sniper in 1973. And if you haven't read about Hosli's exploits during Katrina as written in the New Yorker, you should.

Hosli was the only district commander appointed in 2002 by then-chief Eddie Compass who held on to the same command (the 2nd District in Uptown) until 2007, when he was appointed by chief Warren Riley to command the 8th District--the jewel of the NOPD--where he was only one of 3 commanders to head the same district until his suspension last week. That should tell you something about his steadfastness--and effectiveness. Crime in the French Quarter--the heart of the 8th--declined precipitously on his watch.

The only scandal in this case would be if Hosli's good name isn't returned and he isn't returned to his command.

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

Thom Kahler

Changing of the guard

Young blood infuses 8th District: After usurping the police chief's responsibility to discipline his own men by suspending 8th District Commander Edwin Hosli last Thursday (5.5.11), Mayor Mitch Landrieu completed the coup by appointing Jeffrey H. Walls as commander of the 8th.

Walls, a rising star in the NOPD, was a sergeant as recently as 2009, then made lieutenant and headed the investigative unit in the 6th District (Mid-city, Irish Channel, Lower Garden District).

A 13-year veteran of the NOPD, Walls has a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Loyola University. On 3.31.11, Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas elevated him to commander in charge of the Crime Lab & Evidence Division. He now has the plum assignment among district commanders: The 8th District (French Quarter, CBD, Marigny Triangle).

Cage uncaged: Just because Nicolas Cage allegedly beat on his wife and a few neighbors' cars, District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro dismissed charges the NOPD pressed when they arrested the actor 4.15.11 in the 600 block of Dumaine Street.

Charging it off as a celebrity being a celebrity, the DA refused the charges last week (5.3.11) instead of going for domestic abuse battery and disturbing the peace, as the cops saw it.

The DA's office said Cage's wife declined to pursue the charge and that entered into their thinking; she'll live for now to suffer again.

As for the not so famous: Justice among the regular violent folk is not so forgiving:

• Wednesday (5.4.11) 5:41 a.m.: A 32-year-old man who tried to stop 2 black guys from breaking into his girlfriend's car in the 800 block of Elysian Fields Avenue should have called the cops instead.

He was stabbed multiple times and had to be hauled to Interim LSU Public Hospital to be patched up. (The car was one of 11 broken into that week in the 8th District; 7 others were stolen.)

• Monday (5.2.11) 3:47 p.m.: Cops arrested Christopher Turner, 30, and charged him with aggravated battery and criminal mischief for filing a false report about his knife fight with another 30-year-old white man 4.30.11 at 3:20 p.m. on Bourbon Street. (It could have been the 200 block, or the 300 block, or the 400 block--depending on which police report you believe.)

• Saturday (4.30.11) 3:20 p.m.: A 34-year-old white guy got into a beef with a black dude in the 500 block of Gravier Street in the CBD when the black guy pulled a pistol and threatened him.

The assailant is described as 6' tall, weighing 130 to 145 pounds, wearing a red baseball cap, red T-shirt and black baggy shorts.

And somethings don't change: Robberies are always with us, it seems, no matter who's in charge:

• Friday (5.6.11) 5:30 a.m.: A 30-year-old not-so-bright white woman in the 400 block of Dauphine Street took out a black bag full of money (stupid is as stupid does) when a white guy asked her for a dollar. A second white guy opted for the whole thing, and grabbed the bag before fleeing on foot on St. Louis Street, then down Burgundy Street. She described him as 5'8" tall, with a thin build and brown hair, wearing a cream-colored T-shirt and blue jeans.

• Thursday (5.5.11) 2:29 a.m.:Two 26-year-old white women walking in the 700 block of Dumaine Street where accosted by a black guy with a handgun who demanded their purses before fleeing in 4-door silver sedan.

An hour later, 2 white guys, 31 and 35, and a 26-year-old white woman were standing in the 1400 block of Chartres Street in the Marigny Triangle when they were robbed by 2 black thugs armed with handguns. They made off with the men's cash and the woman's purse containing personal items and a cellphone, again fleeing in a silver sedan.

The only description of one of the thieves is that he's 5'6" tall, wearing a baseball hat.

• Monday (5.2.11) 12:40 a.m.: In another robbery that may be related to the 2 above, a 33-year-old white man and a 40-year-old Asian man were walking near Burgundy and St. Peter streets when they were surrounded by 4 black thugs who pulled guns and demanded their money.

When the victims said they didn't have any cash and struggled with the thugs, the perps struck them and fled on foot to a silver Pontiac Grand Prix parked nearby which took off toward N. Rampart Street.

The suspects were described as in their 20s, 5'8" to 5'10" tall, with slim builds.

• Sunday (5.1.11) 8:10 p.m.: A 71-year-old white lady walking near Bourbon Street and Esplanade Avenue was mugged by a white hoodlum who grabbed her purse and fled.

The robber was described as 20 to 25 years old, 5'11" tall, weighing 180 pounds, wearing a white T-shirt and dark-colored blue jeans.

Don't get me wrong: A number of readers--mainly gay guys--took umbrage at my last column for my incredulity about a fella getting an extra 2 years in prison for uttering a sexual slur before stabbing a teenager in the French Quarter in what was labeled a "hate" crime.

I thought we all should toughen up a bit--we've all been called been called names, whether gay or straight, black or white, thin or fat, young or old, or for most any reason. But they pointed out gays have been targeted repeatedly with violence, not just words.

(I too know what that is like: being chased by black boys in South Philly who were hollering "Get whitey!" Luckily, in those days I was younger, thinner and faster, and got away.)

But what it amounts too is this: all crimes are "hate" crimes; there's no love in someone sticking a gun in your ribs and demanding your money, no matter what your sexual orientation is, your race, your age, or any other distinguishing characteristic.

For gays to feel they should have some extra protection under the law is anathema to the equality they espouse.

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Crimes last week in the 8th District
(Click on the crime map to enlarge it)

Sunday (4.24.11)

Auto Burglary, 330 Loyola, 2:36 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 740 Gravier, 10:14 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 700 Touro, 10:17 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 827 Dauphine, 11:00 a.m.
Attempted Rape, 601 Chartres, 2:36 p.m.
Aggravated Assault, 644 Camp, 3:01 p.m.
Shoplifting, 134 Royal, 3:38 p.m.
Shoplifting, 1124 Decatur, 3:57 p.m.
Bicycle Theft, 300 Gravier, 7:21 p.m.
Pickpocketing, 1501 Girod, 10:17 p.m.

Monday (4.25.11)

Theft, 731 St Peter, 12:05 a.m.
Theft, 8 Canal, 3:15 a.m.
Auto Theft, 1300 Poydras, 11:41 a.m.
Theft, 701 Convention Center, 12:07 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 1025 Bienville, 1:21 p.m.
Theft, 701 Bourbon, 3:57 p.m.
Theft, 945 Magazine, 4:22 p.m.
Auto Theft, 920 Poeyfarre, 4:39 p.m.

Tuesday (4.26.11)

Theft, 1000 Decatur, 10:25 a.m.
Theft, Bourbon & Orleans, 12:28 p.m.

Wednesday (4.27.11)

Theft, 504 Esplanade, 1:00 a.m.
Armed Robbery, 100 Conti, 4:32 a.m.
Business Burglary, 400 Lafayette, 7:52 a.m.
Theft, 700 Canal, 9:30 a.m.
Theft, 547 St Ann, 1:02 p.m.
Theft, 339 Bourbon, 3:07 p.m.
Pickpocketing, 738 Toulouse, 7:00 p.m.
Theft, 718 St Peter, 8:50 p.m.
Auto Theft, 500 Canal, 10:01 p.m.

Thursday (4.28.11)

Theft, 346 Baronne, 4:18 a.m.
Business Burglary, 800 Camp, 5:39 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 735 Camp, 7:01 a.m.
Auto Theft, 800 Camp, 10:24 a.m.
Auto Theft, Royal & St Philip, 10:42 a.m.
Auto Theft, 800 Camp, 11:00 a.m.
Theft, 816 Decatur, 11:16 a.m.
Auto Theft, 800 Camp, 11:43 a.m.
Theft, 437 Esplanade, 12:15 p.m.
Theft, 600 Decatur, 5:34 p.m.
Auto Theft, Conti & Decatur, 9:23 p.m.
Theft, 300 Poydras, 11:27 p.m.

Friday (4.29.11)

Theft, 739 Iberville, 12:34 a.m.
Theft, 441 Bourbon, 12:50 p.m.
Auto Theft, 900 Conti, 3:37 p.m.

Saturday (4.30.11)

Theft, 511 Bourbon, 1:57 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 1029 Bienville, 3:24 a.m.
Theft, 511 Bourbon, 4:21 a.m.
Auto Theft, Camp & Poydras, 10:27 a.m.
Auto Theft, Decatur & St Peter, 11:19 a.m.
Shoplifting, 301 Canal, 2:14 p.m.
Aggravated Assault, 500 Gravier, 3:21 p.m.
Aggravated Battery, 400 Bourbon, 8:19 p.m.
Theft, 1001 S Peters, 9:26 p.m.

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

Thom Kahler