NOcrimeline

Where did all the crime go?

2012-02-12T16:52:00.015-06:00

Must be doing something right: In January, crime was as bad as I've seen it in the French Quarter in the last 5 years. Now, come February, it's remarkably tame.

In the 11 days since the first of the month, there have been 14 assaults, 6 robberies, and 3 rapes in the NOPD's 8th District, which includes the Quarter, CBD, and the Marigny Triangle and the newly-added Marigny Rectangle. And, to tell the truth, we haven't heard much of murders anywhere in the city in that time.

Makes you think the NOPD must be doing something right.

On the other hand...: 8th District cops have proven once again that they don't seem to know how to deal with violent assaults, and tend to cover them up until the public inquires. This horrific attack 2 weeks ago appeared nowhere in NOPD reports (nor the much vaunted Crime Map) until NOcrimeline inquired after a relative of the victim's asked us about it:

Around 3 a.m. on Sunday (1.29.12), 2 young men walking near the Jax Brewery parking lot on Decatur Street came upon a young woman being put upon by 3 young guys and they tried to come to her rescue. The first victim was struck by 2 of the boys. When the second victim tried to come to the aid of his compatriot, he was beaten to the ground by all 3 bullies, where they continued striking him until he lost consciousness with a jaw fractured in 3 places, his sinus cavity crushed, and cranial bleeding. He was hospitalized. The police couldn't say how old he is.

Using a video recorded by a nearby resident, detectives issued arrest warrants for 3 19-year-olds with frat-boy-sounding names: Richard J. Bienvenu IV, Brock R. Miramon, and Alexander K. Riecke. They were each charged with second-degree battery which carries a penalty of up to 5 years in prison for inflicting "serious bodily injury." They surrendered to 8th District cops 4 days after the incident.

With apparently well-connected parents, they avoided the unpleasantness of Central Lockup by having the newest Criminal Court Judge, Franz Zibilich, preset bonds of $2,500 which kept them out of the slammer (hence, their booking mugshots are not available). They are all due in court 4.1.12.

It does beg the question: Are the cops covering up crimes like this? And it behooves you if you know of a crime to give NOcrimeline a shout--maybe we can find something out.

[Danny Monteverde of the Times-Picayune did a follow-up story on this with many more details.]

Speaking of cover-ups: Last May, the NOPD made a big deal of issuing a press release about Cynthia Hughes Rogers, 53, being wanted for embezzlement of over $60,000 from an apartment rental company in the French Quarter and a contractor in Kenner. She allegedly used the proceeds to buy a pearl-colored 2007 Lexus GS.

When Rogers finally was captured or turned herself in September, there was no notice from the NOPD. She was charged with 17 counts of theft and 17 counts of fraud. Her bond was set at $68,000, but when her court date came in November, she was already out of OPP (if she was ever in). The court record only says the charges were "referred", whatever that means. The NOPD won't say. District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro won't explain.

It sounds like a theft of that magnitude is being swept under the rug. I guess there's a big difference in the DA's book between being a blonde white woman driving a Lexus who steals $60,000 and a black guy who steals a $200 iPhone.

Case in point: Last Saturday (2.4.12), the NOPD made a big deal of tracking down and arresting a 30-year-old black guy, Travis Henderson. He allegedly boosted an iPhone and wallet from a woman's purse in a club in the 400 block of Bourbon Street around 1:10 a.m.

Using the tracking device on the phone, detectives traced the phone to the Chevron station at N. Rampart and St. Louis streets, right across from the NOPD's 1st District station. When they called the phone's number, Henderson allegedly reaching into his pants pocket for the phone. When police searched him, they said they also found $100 in cash in his pockets, along with the woman's credit cards, debit card and driver's license.

The press release claims detectives charged him with simple robbery, but court records indicate he was booked with only illegal possession of stolen things over $1,500. He sits in OPP in lieu of $30,000 bond. (Heaven help him if he had stolen over $60,000.)

The release labeled Henderson as a "possible career criminal" with his 9 felony, 12 misdemeanor, and 21 municipal arrests, most from 1999 when Henderson was 18. The NOPD didn't indicate if the blonde white woman had any prior arrests.

The rest of the robberies: Really, this is the extent of robberies since the first of the month--if the NOPD can be believed:

Friday (2.3.12) 7:10 p.m.: A 45-year-old white man was robbed in front of 2273 Decatur St. (in the 8th District's newly expanded patrol area in the Marigny Rectangle) by 2 black hoodlums who stuck what was believed to be a gun in his back. They emptied his pockets and fled on foot toward St. Claude Avenue.

One robber was described as 6'4" tall with a slim build, wearing all dark clothing; the other was 5'5" tall, with a medium build, wearing a white sweatshirt and dark pants.

Saturday (2.4.12) 11:45 p.m.: A 20-year-old white girl was walking in the 600 block of Spain Street in the Marigny Rectangle when 2 white thugs stuck what was believed to be a gun in her back and demanded money. She complied and they fled on foot toward the river.

One robber was described as in his 20's, 5'10" tall, wearing baggy clothes; the other was 5'10" tall, with a shaved head, also wearing baggy clothes.

Sunday (2.5.12) 7:00 a.m.: A 22-year-old white man walking in the 600 block of Burgundy Street (between Toulouse and St. Peter streets) was robbed by 2 white guys whose descriptions sound a lot like those of the robbers of a white girl the day before in the Marigny. Apparently the victim had met the guys earlier the night before and got into an argument with them. They beat him up and cleaned out his pockets before fleeing in a silver-colored truck.

Both are described as 5'10" tall with thin builds, one with short dirty-blond hair, wearing a light-colored T-shirt and blue jeans, and the other wearing a white polo shirt.

Tuesday (2.7.12) 7:45 a.m.: A 13-year-old black school girl waiting for the bus near Canal Street and Elk Place was robbed by a 14-year-old black girl she knew. The girl asked for money, then to use the victim's cellphone. The victim refused, but the older girl grabbed the phone from her hand and fled on foot.

Police nabbed the 14-year-old, who will disappear into the juvenile "justice" system, charged with simple robbery.

Tuesday (2.7.12) 10:40 p.m.: A 21-year-old white man was robbed on by a gang of 3 black guys, one of whom stuck his hand behind the victim's back, implying he had a weapon, while the other 2 pushed him against the wall and rifled through his pockets. The trio fled on foot on Conti toward the river, but 2 were apprehended by cops.

They charged George Bradford (right), 26, and Reginald Gooden (left), 27, with first-degree robbery. Each is being held in OPP on $100,000 bond. The third member of the trio is still at large.

Rapes all around: The NOPD is reluctant to report rapes to the public, even though there were 3 of them in 4 days last week in the 8th District. For all we know, there might be a serial rapist running loose in the French Quarter:

Saturday (2.4.12) 12:52 a.m.: Simple rape in the 141 S. Rampart St. (near Canal Street).

Sunday (2.5.12) 11:36 p.m.: Aggravated rape in the 600 block of Bourbon Street (between Toulouse and St. Peter streets).

Tuesday (2.7.12) 3:24 p.m.: A man raped in the 300 block of O'Keefe Avenue, possibly in the O'Keefe Plaza Hotel.

Remember the gang rape in Central City a couple of weeks ago? The NOPD wouldn't give any details on that brutal attack, though the victim's friends did. They might have continued the cover-up without the public's outcry and not have arrested 5 suspects in the case. The rule seems to be: Holler loud and long until you get the information you need--and contact NOcrimeline.

Good cop gone bad, briefly: There are few cops in the 8th District more beloved than former Quality of Life officer Roger Jones Jr. But the soft-spoken Jones, 38, was suspended without pay from the NOPD this past week after his counterparts in Jefferson Parish and New Orleans said he got liquored up last fall and was involved in 2 hit-and-run accidents with his police cruiser in those jurisdictions on the same day.

It's not to say those misdeeds ought to go unpunished if Jones is found guilty. But Super Chief Ronal Serpas has a bad habit of throwing away good cops for dubious offenses (see Jeff Winn, Marlon DeFillo, among others). Serpas' own son-in-law had a similar mishap before Serpas was appointed chief, but survived it and went on to be a fine detective in the 8th District.

Travis Ward, then 33, was initially charged with DWI after totaling a police cruiser while a member of the SWAT team, but the charge was reduced to a minor traffic offense. He was suspended without pay for 60 days.

All of this occurred before Serpas became chief, but nonetheless Serpas should show similar mercy on Jones, rather than lose a good officer the public adores.

Recent crimes in the 8th District

Sunday (1.29.12)

Theft, 640 Bourbon, 4:07 a.m.
Theft, 227 Bourbon, 4:55 a.m.
Theft, 333 Poydras, 11:26 a.m.
Bicycle Theft, 836 Elysian Fields, 3:36 p.m.
Pickpocketing, 400 Bourbon, 4:00 p.m.
Auto Burglary, Girod & LaSalle, 8:07 p.m.
Shoplifting, 127 Royal, 8:35 p.m.
Theft, 409 O'Keefe, 8:47 p.m.

Monday (1.30.12)

Theft, 501 Decatur, 9:29 a.m.
Auto Theft, 200 Decatur, 1:07 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 600 Burgundy, 3:44 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 600 Kerlerec, 4:24 p.m.
Theft, 626 Kerlerec, 5:37 p.m.
Theft, 8 Canal, 10:19 p.m.

Tuesday (1.31.12)

Theft, Bourbon & St Ann, 4:14 a.m.
Auto Theft, 816 S Peters, 2:34 p.m.
Bicycle Theft, LaSalle & Perdido, 3:14 p.m.
Simple Robbery, 818 Chartres, 4:01 p.m.

Wednesday (2.1.12)

Theft, 441 Bourbon, 12:27 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 1200 N Peters, 8:02 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 800 Decatur, 8:51 a.m.
Theft, 1501 Girod, 11:51 a.m.
Theft, 500 Port of New Orleans, 1:30 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 1000 Iberville, 6:57 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 1000 Iberville, 8:12 p.m.
Theft, 900 Convention Center, 8:18 p.m.

Thursday (2.2.12)

Theft, 441 Bourbon, 12:22 a.m.
Auto Theft, O'Keefe & Poydras, 11:22 a.m.
Auto Theft, Canal & N Villere, 1:57 p.m.
Theft, 424 Bourbon, 9:59 p.m.
Theft, 8 Canal, 10:50 p.m.
Theft, 700 Bourbon, 11:05 p.m.
Theft, 227 Bourbon, 11:16 p.m.

Friday (2.3.12)

Theft, 639 Loyola, 6:52 a.m.
Shoplifting, 134 Royal, 12:24 p.m.
Bicycle Theft, 200 Bourbon, 4:10 p.m.
Shoplifting, 400 N Peters, 6:27 p.m.
Simple Robbery, 2273 Decatur, 7:14 p.m.

Saturday (2.4.12)

Rape, 141 S Rampart, 12:52 a.m.
Pickpocketing, 600 Bourbon, 1:21 a.m.
Pickpocketing, Bourbon & St Louis, 10:47 p.m.

Sunday (2.5.12)

Simple Robbery, 600 Burgundy, 6:36 a.m.
Bicycle Theft, 334 Royal, 9:45 a.m.
Armed Robbery, 600 Spain, 9:54 a.m.
Auto Theft, Ntachez & Tchoupitoulas, 10:12 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 1008 N Peters, 1:39 p.m.
Auto Theft, 310 Andrew Higgins, 3:16 p.m.

Monday (2.6.12)

Auto Burglary, Burgundy & Iberville, 2:38 a.m.
Pickpocketing, 200 Bourbon, 4:28 a.m.
Theft, 2 Poydras, 7:46 a.m.
Theft, 908 Esplanade, 9:51 a.m.
Shoplifting, 800 Canal, 8:31 p.m.

Tuesday (2.7.12)

Theft, 8 Canal, 12:18 a.m.
Theft, 800 Canal, 3:52 a.m.
Simple Robbery, Canal & Elk, 9:25 a.m.
Auto Theft, 2000 Royal, 1:49 p.m.
Theft, 416 Bourbon, 8:50 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 2100 Decatur, 10:07 p.m.
Armed Robbery, 300 Bourbon, 10:31 p.m.

Wednesday (2.8.12)

Theft, 423 Bourbon, 12:58 a.m.
Theft, 441 Bourbon, 1:25 a.m.
Theft, 345 St Joseph, 12:01 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 100 Baronne, 6:25 p.m.

Thursday (2.9.12)

Theft, 900 Convention Center, 8:37 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 1415 Girod, 12:14 p.m.
Theft, 219 Loyola, 12:15 p.m.
Shoplifting, 522 Bourbon, 7:45 p.m.
Theft, 511 Bourbon, 11:06 p.m.

Friday (2.10.12)

Auto Burglary, 200 Burgundy, 2:24 a.m.
Auto Burglary, Church & Julia, 11:00 a.m.
Theft, 721 Iberville, 3:29 p.m.
Auto Theft, 923 Constance, 9:48 p.m.

Saturday (2.11.12)

Pickpocketing, 500 Bourbon, 4:26 a.m.
Theft, 221 Carondelet, 12:16 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 333 Canal, 5:22 p.m.
Theft, 850 Convention Center, 8:14 p.m.
Theft, 315 Julia, 10:10 p.m.
Pickpocketing, 500 Bourbon, 11:27 p.m.

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

Thom Kahler

Killers Wanted

2012-02-01T15:50:00.006-06:00

The NOPD's Cold Case Squad--headed by Sgt. Daniel McMullen--reviews cases based on numerous different factors and explores how new technology and resources (i.e. DNA, fingerprint and informational databases, etc.) might impact a renewed investigation. If the inquiry identifies new suspects, or strengthens the case against known subjects, the case is reopened. There are currently about 2,000 cold cases that remain unsolved. If anyone has any information, contact Sgt. McMullen at (504) 658-5318 (office) or (504) 658-5318 (cellphone), or email at demcmullen@nola.gov .

The cold case file of the NOPD holds records of the murders of at least 5 people with connections to the French Quarter whose killers are still walking around:

DR. RALPH EDWARD NEWSOME--Oct. 31, 2009: One can only speculate on the motive in the murder of Dr. Ralph Edward Newsome, 45, inside his 3-story townhouse at 926 Toulouse St. early on Oct. 31, 2009.

His body was discovered after 68 firemen extinguished a 2-alarm fire seen shooting from the second floor around 3 a.m. He had been stabbed multiple times, but had not been burned. Fire fighters found him unconscious and brought him out of the building to EMTs. They took him to LSU Interim Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Investigators speculate the murderer had tried to cover up the crime with arson.

He was assistant dean of medical education and was the chief of plastic surgery at Tulane's School of Medicine. He bought his Toulouse Street residence in 2003 and had extensively renovated it, particularly its gardens.

His murder fits a pattern seen in police reports many times before: A gay man is murdered/beaten/robbed by someone he invited in. It's sad but reflects the dangers of what are often casual encounters by men and women who hook up in bars and clubs. But there is something more powerful and dangerous in the all-male dynamic that often results in tragedy.

A reward of $8,000 is offered by CrimeStoppers for information leading to the arrest of his murder.

JESSICA HAWK--Aug. 11, 2008: Jessica Hawk, 32, was found dead the morning of Aug. 11, 2008 in her home at 3013 Chartres St. in the Bywater, where she lived alone. Her nude body was propped up against a chair and had been stabbed multiple times. It is believed she may have been dead for a couple of days before her corpse was found.

About a month after her death, NOPD homicide detectives released an artist's sketch of a possible suspect in her slaying. They described him as a clean-cut white man, 25 to 35 years old, 6' tall, weighing 170 pounds. He was wearing a black crewneck jersey with elbow-length sleeves over a white shirt with 3" white cuffs. No one has been able to put a name on anyone based on that sketch.

A reward of $25,000 is being offered by CrimeStoppers.

CHRIS ROBERTS--June 17, 2007: The trail has gone cold for the killer who gunned down Chris Roberts, 33, in the doorway of his apartment building at Esplanade Avenue and N. Prieur Street in Esplanade Ridge around 8 p.m. on June 6, 2007 and stole his prized motorcycle.

Roberts hadn't been back long from his refuge from the storm in Huntsville, AL with his wife and infant daughter. Working at Fiorella's restaurant in the 1100 block of Decatur Street instead of his beloved occupation as a motorcycle designer/mechanic, he resumed the friendships he had in the Quarter before Katrina.

A reward of $3,000 is offered by CrimeStoppers.

HELEN HILL--Jan. 4, 2007: A pre-dawn home invasion on Jan. 4, 2007 at their home on the corner of N. Rampart and Spain streets in the Faubourg Marigny--about 10 blocks from where Jessica Hawk was murdered--left Hill dead with a bullet in her neck, her husband wounded 3 times, and their toddler son unharmed.

The murder of Hill, 36, a well-liked independent film maker, practically created a cottage industry of protesting the city's soaring murder rate. Hill was one of 6 people murdered in the city that same day, and followed by one week the slaying of well-known musician Dinerral Shavers. It was too much for the citizens of the city--anti-crime groups formed and thousands marched on City Hall on Jan. 11, 2007, demanding action. They got hollow promises but no action.

A reward of $15,000 is offered by CrimeStoppers.

MICHAEL FREY--March 19, 2006: The murder of Michael Frey on March 19, 2006 is believed to be the first in the NOPD's 8th District since the storm. But now, most of the news articles about him--and even tributes to him--have disappeared from the archives of the Times-Picayune and Gambit.

Frey, 28, was reportedly heading home to the Fabourg Marigny after leaving Molly's At The Market, 1107 Decatur St., when he was held up in the early morning hours of 3.19.2006 in the 2100 block of Chartres Street. Though Frey handed over his wallet as the robber demanded, the thug blasted him in the chest with a shotgun, killing him almost instantly.

CrimeStoppers lists no reward for his murderer.

* * *

If you have any information on any of these crimes, you can call CrimeStoppers anonymously at 822-1111 to be eligible for the reward.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

Another day, another "plan"

2012-01-31T16:20:00.001-06:00

Plan, plan, everybody's got a plan: Let's see, first there was Super Chief Ronal Serpas' 2012 Crime Fighting Strategy he released the second day of January, then there was the "Milwaukee" plan (was that before or after, and who remembers what it was about), then there was the "St. Louis" plan Mayor Mitch Landrieu announced this week that he'd like judges to raise the bond on defendants arrested on gun charges to $30,000 to keep them in jail. How about just getting some cops on the street and getting the guns off it?

Here's what Jefferson Parish does to get guns off its streets: During a parade a couple of weeks ago, a sheriff's deputy saw a 17-year-old kid walking along, behaving suspiciously. He was constantly adjusting his waistband--a sign officers look for that indicates he might be concealing a weapon. The deputy approached the boy and told him he was going to search him. Sure enough, the boy had a handgun concealed in his waistband. He was arrested and is jailed in lieu of a $5,000 bond.

Mayor Mitch seems to forget a bond is to make sure a defendant shows up in court when he's supposed to, not a preemptive punishment. And Chief Serpas says most of the gun arrests by his officers are misdemeanors that end up in Municipal Court where a slap on the wrist is customary punishment.

Well, who the hell's fault is that? C'mon, Chief. Crack the whip and get your officers to pay attention to the goons around them. I'd bet you'd find a lot of punks packing heat that belong in jail for illegally carrying a weapon. And when they come out--regardless of the bond--it'll be sans their weaponry.

A big problem with NOPD officers is that they don't seem real observant: on their patrols (they do have patrols, don't they?) they don't notice abandoned cars, burned out street lights, or folks who just don't belong in that neighborhood, or who might be armed. If you really want to curtail homicides, get the guns gone. It's like kids: you can't stop them from running, but you can take away the scissors.

Toughen up: The state's gun laws are fairly tough; it's the prosecutors and judges who let those charged with gun offenses skate through. An assistant DA might tell a defendant, "We'll drop the weapons charge if you'll plead to the robbery"; well, yeah, who wouldn't want to escape that extra time.

The criminal court judges, though, typically sentence a defendant on felony illegal weapons charges to 6 months in jail--and then suspend it, so to the criminal its like getting off free.

State law calls for first offenders to be fined up to $500 and/or get 6 months in jail; almost a slap on the wrist.

But for second offenders, it starts to get serious: up to 5 years in prison; for 3 or more offenders, it's 10 years without parole.

If they possess or use a gun in a crime of violence (shooting, robbery, etc.), the penalty is a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 10 years, without parole.

If they're already a felon and are caught with a firearm, the sentence is a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 20.

Chief Serpas will tell you that most murder victims and their killers have prior arrests for illegal gun possession. So, it seems if you want to keep these murderers off the streets, be tougher earlier on:

1) The NOPD should slap a gun charge on any offense where a gun's present;

2) the District Attorney should stop using the charge as a bargaining chip or declining to prosecute it (by definition, a conviction for illegal weapons ought to go with any conviction for armed robbery);

3) Criminal Court judges should stop allowing pleas to lesser charges and handing out suspended sentences for weapons charges that call for stiffer sentences.

If you agree, email these people--the judges' addresses are at the lower right. Write them!

They ARE catching some of them: Always amazed at the arrests NOPD cops do make in robberies--particularly considering how scanty most victims' description of perps are. Here are the latest take-downs:

Anthony Green, 17, was already in Central Lockup on attempted murder charges when Sgt. Nick Gernon and his squad of 8th District detectives linked him 1.22.12 to the armed robbery of a young black couple 1.5.12 in the 800 block of Commerce Street. The best description the victims could give of the robber was that he was a black boy in his late teens, 5'6" tall, wearing a dark hoodie. Nevertheless, the detectives made the connection and charged Green with 2 counts of armed robbery with a firearm.

Authur Shaver, 31, made the mistake of not paying for a meal her ordered in a restaurant and was arrested 1.16.22 on that minor charge. Police found he was also wanted on a warrant from Tennessee for robbery. Then 8th District detectives made him on the armed robbery of Ditcharo's bar on Carondelet Street on 1.10.12. He's booked on armed robbery and is being held on $200,000 bond, including the out-of-state warrant.

Torrey Hooks, 20, and David Blackledge (pictured), 19, were arrested after allegedly terrorizing the Lower Quarter on Thursday night (1.26.12)

A 44-year-old white man walking in the 1000 block of Barracks Street (between Burgundy and N. Rampart streets) around 9 p.m. was knocked to the ground by 2 black guys who then cleaned his pockets before running off.

Nearly 2 hours later, a 55-year-old man walking near Dauphine and St. Philip streets around 10:50 p.m. was knocked to the ground by the same 2 thugs who took his iPhone and ran.

By Sunday (1.29.12), 8th District detectives identified Hooks and Blackledge as the culprits and they were arrested by St. Bernard Parish sheriff's deputies. Blackledge was transferred to Orleans Parish where he was in and out of OPP in less than 24 hours on $10,000 bond.

Hooks is still in St. Bernard, where arrestees are often not heard of again. (Note the case of Desmond Woodbury, 20, who was arrested there last November for a carjacking in the Marigny Triangle; indications were that he would be quickly extradited to Orleans Parish, but he hasn't been heard of here since.)

A 14-year-old black boy was arrested Tuesday (1.31.12) after he and 2 of his buddies rode up on bicycles and grabbed the iPhone from the hand of a 22-year-old white woman on Chartres Street near Madison Street. Of course, since he's so young and precious, you'll never learn whether or not he got justice.

(Think juveniles aren't dangerous? Over the weekend, cops arrested a young boy on N. Robertson Street, just north of Esplanade Avenue, who had in his possession 1.6 grams of crack cocaine that he was selling. When police checked his record, he already had 4 felony and 4 misdemeanor arrests as a juvenile--and he's not even 17 yet!)

Caught on cam: The female half of a white couple who robbed another white couple on Sunday (1.15.12) around 2:30 a.m. wound up on surveillance video as she tried to ditch her weapon on Dauphine Street.

The victims, a man 36 and woman 42, were walking on Toulouse Street near Dauphine when they were confronted by the man/woman team of robbers. The robbers demanded the victims' money and after they got it, fled on Dauphine toward Canal Street. A pedestrian who witnessed the robbery confronted the woman who tried hiding her gun under a parked car. The witness retrieved the gun and then got in a struggle with the gunwoman, who broke away and jumped into a silver-colored Ford Taurus and fled.

The video shows a remarkably clear image of the female robber.

The rest of the robberies:

Wednesday (1.18.12) 7:10 a.m.: A 56-year-old white lady walking in the 300 block of Baronne Street in the CBD nearly lost her purse to a snatcher but held on while a bystander came to her aid. The would-be robber was described as a white guy (boy?), 5'4" tall, weighing 140 pounds, wearing a dark-colored hoodie.

Wednesday (1.18.12) 7:15 p.m.: A 56-year-old white lady (let's hope it wasn't the same one who thwarted a robbery 12 hours earlier) lost her purse to 2 black boys who snatched it as she was walking near Gravier and Magazine streets in the CBD. One of the punks was described as 16 years old, 5'7" tall with a thin build, wearing a dark hoodie and dark pants; the other was 14 to 16, 5'11" with a thin build, wearing a dark-colored jacket.

Tuesday (1.24.12) 9:15 p.m.: A 42-year-old white man getting into his car on Barracks Street near Decatur Street was struck by 2 black thugs who took his money and iPhone from his pockets. One is described as tall and muscular, wearing a gray sweatshirt and dark pants; the other as skinny, wearing all black.

Wednesday (1.25.12) 9:05 p.m.: In the 700 block of St. Roch Avenue (yeah, it's part of the 8th District now, so its officers are spread even thinner), a 30-year-old Asian woman was walking along when a black guy on a bike swooped down and demanded her purse. He rode off on Dauphine Street toward Franklin Avenue. He was described as 20 to 25, 5'9" tall, weighing 160 to 170 pounds, wearing a black hoodie and dark pants.

Sunday (1.29.12) 3:53 a.m.: What's it with taxicabs all of a sudden? A driver for American Taxi was carjacked by a fare he picked up at Dauphine and Conti streets. Cops later found the Toyota Sienna van abandoned in the 1500 block of N. Derbigny Street. Two nights later, another black thug carjacked a United Cab after hailing it in front of Armstrong Park; it was found later around the corner in the 1100 block of St. Philip Street.

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Recent crimes in the 8th District

Sunday (1.15.12)

Pickpocketing, 511 Bourbon, 1:21 a.m.
Armed Robbery, 900 Toulouse, 2:24 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 2200 Decatur, 5:21 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 600 Baronne, 5:03 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 1000 Bourbon, 7:48 p.m.
Auto Theft, N Rampart & Toulouse, 10:25 p.m.

Monday (1.16.12)

Theft, 239 Bourbon, 1:33 a.m.
Auto Theft, 500 Elysian Fields, 3:41 a.m.
Theft, 600 Decatur, 4:08 a.m.
Theft, Bienville & Bourbon, 4:29 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 333 Baronne, 8:08 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 300 Burgundy, 8:46 a.m.
Shoplifting (attempted), 232 Bourbon, 10:32 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 300 O'Keefe, 11:41 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 922 St Louis, 11:46 a.m.
Theft, 600 S Maestri, 12:29 p.m.
Auto Theft, 100 Bourbon, 12:55 p.m.
Theft, 1150 Convention Center, 2:03 p.m.
Theft, 145 Elk, 3:12 p.m.
Theft, 1150 Convention Center, 3:41 p.m.
Bicycle Theft, Chartres & Frenchmen, 9:24 p.m.

Tuesday (1.17.12)

Theft, 739 Canal, 7:59 a.m.
Bicycle Theft, 1025 Bienville, 11:12 a.m.
Theft, 701 Bourbon, 12:28 p.m.
Theft, 739 Canal, 2:29 p.m.
Theft, 225 Decatur, 4:47 p.m.
Residence Burglary, 815 St Ann, 6:34 p.m.

Wednesday (1.18.12)

Auto Theft, 817 Common, 8:41 a.m.
Pursesnatching, 346 Baronne, 8:56 a.m.
Theft, 231 Carondelet, 10:09 a.m.
Auto Theft, 400 Dauphine, 12:37 p.m.
Theft, 333 St Charles, 1:37 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 145 University, 4:09 p.m.
Theft, Decatur & St Philip, 5:19 p.m.
Theft, 739 Canal, 6:21 p.m.
Shoplifting, 400 N Peters, 6:23 p.m.
Pursesnatching, Gravier & Magazine, 7:12 p.m.
Theft, 739 Canal, 7:44 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 1500 Poydras, 9:52 p.m.

Thursday (1.19.12)

Theft, 700 S Peters, 12:45 a.m.
Theft, 100 Iberville, 2:29 a.m.
Theft, 620 Chartres, 4:54 p.m.

Friday (1.20.12)

Auto Burglary, 700 St Philip, 12:10 a.m.
Theft, 127 Elk, 9:36 a.m.
Theft, 301 Camp, 9:45 a.m.
Theft, 711 St Peter, 2:28 p.m.
Theft, 711 Canal, 6:47 p.m.
Shoplifting, 400 N Peters, 9:18 p.m.

Saturday (1.21.12)

Auto Theft, Elysian Fields& N Peters, 5:47 a.m.
Business Burglary, 1025 Bienville, 7:35 a.m.
Theft, 226 Carondelet, 9:47 a.m.
Shoplifting, 928 Canal, 1:38 p.m.
Theft, 221 Carondelet, 3:49 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 1500 Poydras, 9:57 p.m.

Sunday (1.22.12)

Theft, 733 Bourbon, 12:34 a.m.
Theft, 300 Canal, 12:04 p.m.
Theft, 1136 Decatur, 1:08 p.m.
Theft, 501 Decatur, 1:09 p.m.
Theft, 614 Canal, 7:40 p.m.
Theft, 100 Iberville, 11:24 p.m.

Monday (1.23.12)

Auto Theft, Chartres & Toulouse, 10:19 a.m.
Bicycle Theft, 2423 Burgundy, 10:39 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 2005 N Rampart, 10:48 a.m.
Theft, 936 Royal, 2:06 p.m.
Theft, 1238 Dauphine, 2:38 p.m.
Aggravated Assault, 8 Canal, 7:30 p.m.
Theft, 739 Canal, 7:46 p.m.
Auto Theft, Burgundy & Orleans, 9:11 p.m.

Tuesday (1.24.12)

Theft, 214 Royal, 1:17 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 900 Orleans, 1:52 a.m.
Auto Theft, 400 Elysian Fields, 5:22 p.m.
Simple Robbery, 500 Barracks, 9:18 p.m.

Wednesday (1.25.12)

Theft, 439 Dauphine, 12:43 a.m.
Theft, 519 Decatur, 12:48 p.m.
Bicycle Theft, 2434 Chartres, 7:28 p.m.
Armed Robbery, 700 St Roch, 9:06 p.m.

Thursday (1.26.12)

Shoplifting, 1100 Bourbon, 12:37 a.m.
Pickpocketing, 100 Baronne, 2:21 a.m.
Theft, 123 Baronne, 5:22 a.m.
Theft, 301 Camp, 8:07 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 300 Decatur, 8:51 a.m.
Shoplifting, 1011 Tchoupitoulas, 9:34 a.m.
Theft, 124 St Charles, 10:31 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 927 Poeyfarre, 10:43 a.m.
Auto Theft, 334 Royal, 1:02 p.m.
Theft, 300 Bourbon, 1:46 p.m.
Bicycle Theft, 1555 Poydras, 5:47 p.m.
Theft, 555 Canal, 8:16 p.m.
Simple Robbery, 1000 Barracks, 10:32 p.m.

Friday (1.27.12)

Auto Burglary, 600 Burgundy, 1:40 a.m.
Simple Robbery, Dauphine & St Philip, 2:44 a.m.
Theft, 227 Bourbon, 3:24 a.m.
Theft, 813 Frenchmen, 8:52 a.m.
Auto Theft, Mandeville & N Peters, 2:44 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 715 St Peter, 3:40 p.m.
Theft, 900 Convention Center Blvd, 3:57 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 2200 N Peters, 4:18 p.m.
Shoplifting, 232 Bourbon, 11:26 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 2200 N Peters, 11:53 p.m.

Saturday (1.28.12)

Auto Burglary, 800 Royal, 1:27 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 600 St Ann, 1:44 a.m.
Theft, 544 Bourbon, 1:57 a.m.
Theft, 500 N Rampart, 3:10 a.m.
Auto Theft, Royal & Ursuline, 5:25 a.m.
Theft, 123 Baronne, 6:57 a.m.
Theft, 936 St Charles, 8:30 a.m.
Pickpocketing, Bourbon & Canal, 8:36 a.m.
Business Burglary, 91 French Market Pl, 9:02 a.m.
Theft, 921 Canal, 12:51 p.m.
Shoplifting, 725 Magazine, 1:13 p.m.
Theft, 718 St Peter, 8:29 p.m.
Auto Theft, 611 O'Keefe, 10:01 p.m.
Auto Theft (attempted), 611 O'Keefe, 10:53 p.m.
Auto Burglary, Girod & LaSalle, 11:26 p.m.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

New year, same old story

2012-01-14T14:52:00.019-06:00

The real story: There was a lot of talk about what a quiet weekend it was in the city over the New Year's holiday weekend. It was, more or less, if you don't look too closely.

Now, 2 full weeks into 2012, homicides are on target to surpass 300--far more than 2011's "paltry" 199. With the first homicide on New Year's Day, there has been nearly one a day since. Robberies have accelerated at a rate I haven't experienced in the 5 years I've been compiling NOcrimeline.

Even when Super Chief Ronal Serpas announced his 2012 Crime-Fighting Strategy just after the beginning of the year, it didn't merit a story in the Big City Daily, and only a couple of sound bites on TV newscasts.

The general sense is that we've heard it all before--now it's time for a little less talk, a lot more action.

No big deal: Chief Serpas has to be careful he doesn't become like the boy crying wolf--like when he puts out press releases about arrests that really don't amount to that much.

On 1.6.12 he heralded the success of "Operation Rip-N-Run" in which a contingent of officers from the NOPD and the Louisiana State Police partnered from 11.19.11 to 12.19.11 to make 38 arrests in the French Quarter leading to 65 charges, including 26 drug violations, 31 outstanding warrants, 3 for concealed weapons, 6 for prostitution.

Those arrests might lead to future arrests, as he claims, but in that same time period, robberies in and around the Quarter numbered 2 dozen--most of them unsolved.

In early November--just after all the shoot'em ups around Halloween--his office put out a press release touting the NOPD's fete in getting over 600 illegal weapons off the streets in the past 2 months.

All well and good--and probably the best way to combat homicides--but what about the the 2 months since then? He's been mum on weapons seizures--if there have been any in significant number.

Then near the end of last month, Serpas was praising a couple of officers who smelled the aroma of marijuana on a couple of guys walking in the French Quarter (well, imagine that!). It sounds more like they were stopped on suspicion of being black.

When they frisked the duo, cops found pot on one of them and a concealed weapon on the other. Both had had trouble with the law before. But the 25-year-old guy with the pot in his pocket had avoided trouble since 2007 when he was last busted for pot. They charged him with 2nd offense marijuana possession and jailed him on $2,500 bond.

His 40-year-old buddy, who had a knife wrapped in a bandana in his back pocket "for protection", had been in trouble big time but had been clean for over 10 years. But they wrote him up on a mere municipal charge of possession of a firearm (let's see how the court's going to apply that to a knife) along with parole violation and jailed him on $2,500 bond. Were they afraid of a drive-by stabbing?

Both still sit in OPP.

"This was a nice pick-up by our 8th District Police," Serpas crowed. "They were alert and had good reason to stop these 2 suspects and see what they’d been up to." He added, "It’s not uncommon to find that today’s drug user is tomorrow’s robber and perhaps an armed robber down the road."

Perhaps so. But it's not necessary to go nit-picking when there's so much violent crime happening right under your nose and going unsolved.

School for phone thieves: The thefts of iPhones are getting so prolific that the older ones are now teaching the next generation how to do it.

On the second day of the new year, a 31-year-old white woman was blithely bobbing down Ursulines Street near N. Rampart Street just before 6 p.m., blabbing on her iPhone, brushing off a black boy who was pestering her with questions. She ignored him and continued talking on her phone.

The boy's exasperated accomplice--a 20ish black guy--parked his white pick-up truck in the middle of the street and got out, telling the kid, "Let me show you how to do this!"

He pulled out pistol, pointed it at the woman and told her, "Give me your bag!" She turned over the bag, which contained a laptop computer and her cellphone. Both robbers then jumped back in the truck and took off.

8th District Det. Travis Ward rounded up several videoes of the robbery. He can be reached at 658-6731 if you have any information.

That, of course, wasn't the only iPhone theft:

Thursday (12.29.11) 7:35 p.m.: A 32-year-old Hispanic woman walking on Bourbon Street near Dumaine Street had her iPhone snatched from her hand by a fellow Hispanic. He was described as 17 to 19 years old, 5'1" to 5'3" tall, skinny, wearing a red hoodie, khaki shorts, and tennis shoes.

Friday (12.30.11) 1:00 a.m.: A 52-year-old white man walking near Bourbon and Iberville streets had his iPhone snatched from his hand by a black guy described only as 5'10" tall, wearing a navy blue sweatshirt.

Sunday (1.1.12) 7:30 p.m.: A 19-year-old black girl standing near the ferry landing at the end of Canal Street was accosted by 3 black punks, one of whom grabbed her iPhone from her hand. She described 2 of the thieves as 6'2" tall with thin builds, one wearing a green sweatshirt and camouflage pants, the other wearing a burgundy sweatshirt and jeans; the third thief was 5'8" tall with a thin build, wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans.

Monday (1.2.12) 12:15 a.m.: A 19-year-old white girl was walking on Bourbon Street near Dumaine Street when a black crook swooped down and snatched her iPhone from her hand. He was described only as wearing a white hoodie and dark jeans.

Sunday (1.8.12) 1:30 a.m.: A 21-year-old white woman walking on Bourbon Street near Conti street had her iPhone snatched by a black fellow described as 6'1" to 6'2" tall, skinny with short hair, wearing a red shirt and blue jeans.

Monday (1.9.12) 11:15 a.m.: A 40-year-old man walking in the 100 block of N. Rampart Street was relieved of his iPhone by a black thief who could only be described as 6' tall with a thin build, wearing a long white shirt and gray baggy pants.

Monday (1.9.12) 10:00 p.m.: A white woman, of undisclosed age, was walking near Bourbon and St. Ann streets when she was robbed of her iPhone from her hand by a black guy who was described as 6' tall, weighing 150 pounds, wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

Thursday (1.12.12) 8:00 p.m.: Ofc. Jason Collins, working undercover in the French Quarter, chased down and arrested Christopher Briscoe, 17, after he allegedly grabbed a 27-year-old Asian woman's iPhone from her grasp on Royal Street, just off Canal Street.

After he heard the woman yell "Stop! Stop!", he saw Briscoe running down Royal toward Iberville Street. He pursued Briscoe and called for backup. At one point, Briscoe hid under a car on Iberville and then got up and started back tracking toward Dorsiere Street, where he was apprehended by Collins and Ofc. Bryan Jones.

Briscoe was booked with simple robbery and illegal possession of stolen things. He is being held on $8,500 bond. Briscoe has one previous arrest for criminal trespass. Detectives are trying to determine if he could be the culprit in any of the other iPhone thefts that have plagued the Quarter.

What happened? Where am I?: There is such a thing as having too good a time--which usually turn bad. On New Year's Eve, 2 over-celebrant tourists fell prey to a scam that led to them getting robbed:

Around midnight on New Year's Eve, a 46-year-old white man walking on what he thought might be Bourbon Street was approached by a white chick in a "silver-colored SUV" who offered him a ride to his hotel. When he got in, he didn't get as lucky as he thought. While he was chatting the chick up, 2 black thugs he hadn't noticed sitting in the rear seat attacked him. One started choking him while the other pulled a gun and demanded his money. After giving it up, he was let out of the SUV at an unknown location and he walked back to the Courtyard hotel at 300 Julia St. He could only describe the woman a a brunette, possibly in her 30's.

About a half-hour later, at 12:35 a.m. New Year's Day, a 50-year-old white man had a similar experience. He was walking near Royal and Dumaine streets when a white chick driving a "light colored Ford SUV" picked him up and drove him across Canal Street. It wasn't until then he noticed 2 black dudes sitting way back in the back seat. They said they had guns and one struck him in the head, demanding his money. They kept driving up St. Charles Avenue, eventually letting him out a Prytania and 6th streets.

The next day (1.2.12) around 2:15 a.m., another oblivious tourist, 26-year-old white guy, was robbed in what he thinks might have been the 300 block of Poydras Street when a thug came up from behind and knocked him to the ground, taking his wallet from his pocket. He was unable to give a description of his assailant.

Bad, bad Burgundy...again: Burgundy Street--from Canal Street, across Esplanade Avenue, into the Marigny Triangle--continues to be as close to a hell-hole as it gets in the French Quarter:

Saturday (12.31.11) 4:15 a.m.: A trio of white men, two 27 and one 23, were robbed by a gang of 3 black punks on Burgundy near Esplanade, one armed with a handgun. The robbers then fled up Burgundy toward Canal. One was described as having his hair with short twists and wearing a gray sweatshirt and blue jeans, the other 2 with short hair, wearing light shirts and dark blue jeans.

Monday (1.2.12) 3:20 a.m.: A white couple, he 33, she 20, walking on Burgundy near Bienville Street, passed a trio of black dudes. A short time later, the 3 came up behind the couple and pressed what might have been guns into the back of their heads, demanding their money. The robbers rifled through the couple's pockets, taking what they could. One robber was not described, but the other 2 were said to be thin, one wearing a dark hoodie and wearing a Cincinnati Reds baseball cap, and other wearing a dark hoodie and dark jeans, with medium length dreadlocks.

Monday (1.2.12) 3:30 a.m.: A 25-year-old black man walking on Burgundy, just across Esplanade in the Marigny Triangle, was passed by 2 black boys who turned around and came up behind him and pushed him against the wall of Buffa's Bar and robbed him. He described both boys as 17 to 20 years old with short hair, one with dark skin, wearing a dark jacket with red colors; the other with a slim build, wearing a silver jacket.

Some big deals, some not:

Sunday (1.1.12) 6:00 p.m.: A white woman, of undisclosed age, standing in the 700 block of Dumaine Street (between Bourbon and Royal streets) had her purse snatched by a black thug, described as in his 20's, 5'9" tall, wearing a dark shirt and blue jeans.

Monday (1.2.12) 8:50 p.m.: A black guy who fled after he allegedly tried to hit one of the brothers, 29, when the man resisted being robbed at Bienville and Bourbon streets, was observed fleeing by 8th District cops and apprehended. Cedric Stokes, 26, was booked with attempted simple robbery.

Thursday (1.5.12) 3:00 a.m.: A bum bumming a smoke turned violent when he wanted more in an episode at 806 Conti St. He interrupted a 24-year-old woman's conversation and asked her for a cigarette. She gave him one and turned back to her conversation. He tapped her on the shoulder and when she turned around he stuck his hand in her pocket, taking money. When she tried to stop him, he slugged her. Police stopped Quinton Anderson, 30, a short distance away and arrested him for attempted simple robbery and simple battery. He is being held on $25,000 bond.

Thursday (1.5.12) 11:00 p.m.: A black couple, he 20, she 21, were getting out of their car on Commerce Street near Julia Street in the CBD when a black boy came up brandishing a handgun and demanded their money. They complied and the robber fled on foot on Julia toward the river. They described the little felon as in his late teens, 5'6" tall, wearing a dark hoodie.

Thursday (1.5.12) 11:45 p.m.: A 21-year-old white woman was sitting in the 2300 block of Chartres in the Marigny when 2 black punks came up, pulled a gun, and demanded her money. Later, during a traffic stop, the police identified the robbers as Manning Tolliver (top), 17, and Felix Bourtain (bottom), 18. Tolliver was booked with 3 counts of armed robbery, 3 counts of illegal possession of stolen things, 1 count of illegally carrying weapons, and 1 count of armed robbery with a firearm; Bourtain was charged with 1 count each of armed robbery and illegal possession of stolen things. Each is being held in OPP on $40,000 bond.

Friday (1.6.12) 2:40 a.m.: A 46-year-old white man walking near Commerce and Girod streets in the CBD was assaulted and robbed by 3 black thugs. One struck him, causing him to loose consciousness. When he awoke, his wallet and iPhone were missing. The robber was described as in his mid-20's, wearing a white jacket and blue jeans.

Friday (1.6.12) 3:55 a.m.: A 20-year-old black girl was walking near Iberville and N. Rampart streets when a black boy snatched her purse. A cop who saw the culprit running from the scene apprehended a 14-year-old juvenile. So much for catching curfew scofflaws before they harm anyone.

Friday (1.6.12) 1:45 p.m.: A 45-year-old black woman walking on Carondelet Street near Union Street was robbed of a bank deposit bag by a black man in broad daylight. She described the robber as in his 20's, with a crew cut, wearing all black clothing.

Friday (1.6.12) 11:00 p.m.: A 37-year-old white woman walking in he 2300 block of Decatur Street in the Marigny was robbed by 2 gun-toting black boys. She described them as 14 to 16 years old, one 5'5" tall, with a thin build wearing a black hooded coat and blue jeans; the other was wearing dark clothing.

Saturday (1.7.12) 6:30 a.m.: A 23-year-old white man walking on Natchez Street toward Harrah's Casino when he was approached by a Hispanic guy and a white guy who asked him "what he needed?" When the victim started to walk away, the Hispanic pulled a nickle-plated semi-automatic handgun and demanded the man's money. He struck the victim on the left side of the face with the gun, at which time the victim surrendered his cash. The robbers fled toward Camp Street. The Hispanic was described as in his late teens, 6'1" tall, weighing 150 pounds, wearing a dark shirt and blue jeans.

Sunday (1.8.12) 3 p.m.: A 18-year-old black girl was raped after leaving the Hookah Club, 309 Decatur St., with an acquaintance who sexually assaulted her in the alley. No arrest was reported, but you'd think if he was an "acquaintance" the victim could provide the police with his name.

Tuesday (1.10.12) 1:50 a.m.: A 21-year-old white woman standing at the corner of Bourbon and Conti streets was approached by a black dude claiming to be a rapper and asked her to buy one of his CDs. As the victim pulled her wallet from her pocket, 2 other black guys came out of darkness like flies to you-know-what. One knocked the victim's arm, knocking her wallet to the ground. The first dude scooped up the wallet and took off on Conti toward N. Rampart Street. He was described as in his 20's, 5'6" tall, weighing 135 to 140 pounds, wearing dark pants and a dark shirt with a Chicago Bulls cap; his accomplice was described as in his 20's, 5'9" tall, weighing 150 pounds, with a fleur de lis tattoo on his face and stars tattooed on his neck.

Tuesday (1.10.12) 4:40 a.m.: A 24-year-old white man getting out of his car in the 600 block of Gravier Street near Camp Street when 2 black guys came up and demanded his wallet. Instead, the victim told him to take his car and threw them the keys. One of he robbers picked up the keys, but the duo continued to demand his wallet. The victim backed away and began to run, at which point the robbers ran in the opposite direction. The victim then chased after them, demanding his keys back. He didn't get them; neither did he get a good description of the pair, only that they were "black men".

Tuesday (1.10.12) 11:18 p.m.: A lone armed white robber stuck up Ditcharo's bar, 640 Carondelet St., demanding a woman and 2 men sitting at the bar, go behind the bar and give him all the money, including the poker stash. The victims fled out the back door and robber fled out the front, fleeing on Girod Street toward Baronne Street. He was described as in his early 20's, 5'6" tall, with a thin build, wearing a green scarf, gray hoodie, and dark jeans.

Wednesday (1.11.12) 9:40 p.m.: A white man, no age disclosed, was walking on Dauphine Street near Pauger Street when 2 black boys in their teens came up and demanded his bag. When he refused, they snatched it from his grasp and fled on foot in an unknown direction.

Bunch of bad losers: Nothing like a bad beat--i.e. LSU by Alabama in the BCS championship--to bring out the worst in fans:

Monday (1.9.12) 9:35 p.m.: A 19-year-old white girl at a block part in the 700 block of S. Rampart Street felt something on her leg that wasn't friendly. Turns out, it was believed she was struck by a falling bullet that had been fired into the air. She was treated at the hospital for a gunshot wound and released.

Monday (1.9.12) 10:00 p.m.: A 26-year-old Hispanic valet who confronted a black guy burglarizing cars in a parking lot at 1300 Canal St. was confronted by another black crook with a gun who told him to mind his own business. He backed away and the bad guys took off on foot on S. Saratoga Street toward Tulane Avenue. One of the suspects was 5'11" tall, with a thin build and dreadlocks, wearing a white T-shirt and dark pants; the other was 6'2" tall, with a thin build and short hair, wearing a blue hoodie and blue jeans.

Tuesday (1.10.12) 1:40 a.m.: A 25-year-old white guy trying to get out of Razoo's Bar, 511 Bourbon St., tried to exit under the arm of a bouncer. The bouncer grabbed him and they exchanged words before the bouncer punched the patron. The victim felt a sharp pain, then realized he had been cut in his lower left rib cage. When police arrived, they arrested the bouncer, John Fuoco, 41, for aggravated battery.

Tuesday (1.10.12) 1:15 a.m.: A 23-year-old white chick got into an argument with a guy's wife and the guy allegedly busted the chick in the face with a beer bottle. When police arrived, they arrested David Liuzza, 43, for aggravated battery. He posted bond and got the heck out of Central Lockup before he even went before a magistrate.

* * *

Recent crimes in the 8th District

Sunday (12.25.11)

Auto Burglary, 700 Church, 12:24 a.m.
Theft, 441 Bourbon, 1:57 a.m.
Simple Robbery, 1000 Conti, 7:13 a.m.
Shoplifting, 123 Baronne, 12:19 p.m.
Bicycle Theft, 804 Royal, 12:55 p.m.
Business Burglary, 1009 Poydras, 7:55 p.m.
Business Burglary, 620 Decatur, 9:10 p.m.
Theft, 941 Bourbon, 10:30 p.m.

Monday (12.26.11)

Theft, 500 Canal, 10:32 a.m.
Auto Burglary, Dauphine & Ursulines, 12:58 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 530 Madison, 1:03 p.m.
Auto Theft, Conti & Decatur, 3:23 p.m.

Tuesday (12.27.11)

Auto Theft, 200 Chartres, 5:43 a.m.
Auto Theft, 700 Royal, 8:31 a.m.
Theft, 1001 Magazine, 8:56 a.m.
Theft, 610 Poydras, 9:52 a.m.
Pickpocketing, 1500 Sugarbowl Dr, 1:07 p.m.
Theft, 1909 N Rampart, 1:30 p.m.
Shoplifting, 301 Canal, 2:59 p.m.
Shoplifting, 400 N Peters, 4:50 p.m.
Auto Theft, 600 Burgundy, 5:54 p.m.
Shoplifting, 134 Royal, 6:13 p.m.
Theft, 111 Bourbon, 6:23 p.m.
Auto Theft, 300 St Joseph, 6:40 p.m.
Burglary, 601 Loyola, 8:18 p.m.
Armed Robbery, 1400 Dauphine, 9:07 p.m.
Pursesnatching, 800 Esplanade, 9:34 p.m.

Wednesday (12.28.11)

Auto Burglary, 500 Conti, 12:48 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 500 Conti, 1:00 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 134 Carondelet, 7:08 a.m.
Theft, 523 Gravier, 9:52 a.m.
Theft, 1123 Burgundy, 1:07 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 800 Magazine, 1:31 p.m.
Theft, 833 Poydras, 2:06 p.m.
Auto Theft, Andrew Higgins & Constance, 2:57 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 100 Dorsiere, 3:11 p.m.
Theft, 934 Canal, 3:19 p.m.
Simple Robbery, Conti & N Peters, 4:37 p.m.
Simple Robbery, Andrew Higgins & Constance, 5:37 p.m.

Thursday (12.29.11)

Theft, 415 Dauphine, 4:11 a.m.
Theft, 1500 Sugarbowl Dr, 9:43 a.m.
Theft, 301 Camp, 1:29 p.m.
Theft, 700 Frenchmen, 2:48 p.m.
Auto Theft, 1060 Magazine, 4:08 p.m.
Theft, 544 Bourbon, 4:51 p.m.
Auto Theft, 1600 Cleveland, 5:58 p.m.
Simple Robbery, 800 Bourbon, 7:43 p.m.
Auto Theft, Lafayette & S Peters, 10:55 p.m.

Friday (12.30.11)

Theft, 600 Decatur, 10:40 a.m.
Theft, 600 Frenchmen, 11:36 a.m.
Theft, 501 Decatur, 12:46 p.m.
Simple Robbery, Bourbon & Iberville, 3:11 p.m.
Theft, 833 Poydras, 3:47 p.m.
Pickpocketing, 800 Bourbon, 8:14 p.m.

Saturday (12.31.11)

Armed Robbery, 300 Julia, 12:11 a.m.
Armed Robbery, 100 St Charles, 12:51 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 800 Loyola, 1:58 a.m.
Theft, 226 Bourbon, 3:30 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 300 Burgundy, 4:13 a.m.
Armed Robbery, 1400 Burgundy, 4:15 a.m.
Auto Burglary, Girod & LaSalle, 3:08 p.m.
Theft, 852 S Peters, 4:51 p.m.
Pickpocketing, 516 Bourbon, 10:08 p.m.
Simple Robbery, 516 Bourbon, 11:11 p.m.

Sunday (1.1.12)

Pickpocketing, Bourbon & Conti, 1:02 a.m.
Pickpocketing, 400 Bourbon, 1:19 a.m.
Theft, 210 N Rampart, 1:44 a.m.
Pickpocketing, Bourbon & St Louis, 2:13 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 800 St Charles, 3:32 a.m.
Theft, 921 Canal, 3:34 a.m.
Aggravated Battery (cutting), Bourbon & Canal, 6:14 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 624 Gravier, 9:57 a.m.
Pickpocketing, 600 Decatur, 10:26 a.m.
Theft, 738 Toulouse, 12:50 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 1501 Sugarbowl Dr, 3:54 p.m.
Auto Burglary, Girod & LaSalle, 4:09 p.m.
Theft, 227 Bourbon, 5:42 p.m.
Pursesnatching, 700 Dumaine, 6:12 p.m.
Simple Robbery, 365 Canal, 8:04 p.m.
Shoplifting, 148 Carondelet, 8:41 p.m.

Monday (1.2.12)

Simple Robbery, 800 Bourbon, 12:13 a.m.
Theft, 1207 Decatur, 3:27 a.m.
Armed Robbery, 200 Burgundy, 3:38 a.m.
Armed Robbery, 1400 Burgundy, 3:39 a.m.
Theft, Burgundy & Canal, 8:14 a.m.
Theft, 344 Camp, 10:43 a.m.
Theft, 415 Dauphine, 12:22 p.m.
Theft, 1107 Decatur, 12:52 p.m.
Theft, 334 Royal, 1:44 p.m.
Auto Theft, 833 Magazine, 4:11 p.m.
Armed Robbery (gun), 1000 Ursuline, 5:52 p.m.
Shoplifting, 611 Bourbon, 8:23 p.m.
Attempted Simple Robbery, Bienville & Bourbon, 8:54 p.m.

Tuesday (1.3.12)

Theft, 609 Frenchmen, 2:48 a.m.
Simple Robbery, 300 Poydras, 3:14 a.m.
Theft, 716 Gov Nicholls, 8:08 a.m.
Business Burglary, 1113 Chartres, 9:52 a.m.
Theft, 421 Frenchmen, 10:41 a.m.
Theft, 701 Bourbon, 11:13 a.m.
Auto Theft, 500 Iberville, 12:20 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 300 LaSalle, 8:17 p.m.
Auto Burglary, Girod & LaSalle, 9:57 p.m.

Wednesday (1.4.12)

Pickpocketing, 441 Bourbon, 1:58 a.m.
Theft, 227 Bourbon, 5:25 a.m.
Theft, 124 Royal, 8:18 a.m.
Pickpocketing, 1500 Poydras, 8:22 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 542 Tchoupitoulas, 11:36 a.m.
Theft, 819 Bourbon, 2:44 p.m.
Auto Theft, 600 Frenchmen, 3:51 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 2 Poydras, 4:01 p.m.
Theft, 700 Bourbon, 4:30 p.m.

Thursday (1.5.12)

Attempted Simple Robbery, 806 Conti, 3:18 a.m.
Theft, 65 French Market, 9:50 a.m.
Theft, 114 Carondelet, 6:56 p.m.
Theft, 116 Carondelet, 7:29 p.m.

Friday (1.6.12)

Armed Robbery, Commerce & Julia, 12:33 a.m.
Theft, 226 Bourbon, 1:19 a.m.
Simple Robbery, Commerce & Girod, 2:25 a.m.
Theft, 635 Bourbon, 2:44 a.m.
Pursesnatching, 911 Iberville, 3:50 a.m.
Armed Robbery, 2325 Chartres, 5:22 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 300 Burgundy, 6:36 a.m.
Theft, 806 Conti, 8:12 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 900 Toulouse, 8:48 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 521 Baronne, 8:51 a.m.
Shoplifting, 917 Decatur, 9:04 a.m.
Bicycle Theft, 8 Canal, 11:01 a.m.
Theft, 700 Chartres, 12:55 p.m.
Simple Robbery, 313 Carondelet, 1:48 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 935 Gravier, 3:01 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 900 St Louis, 3:37 p.m.
Theft, 300 Canal, 4:48 p.m.
Pickpocketing, Bourbon & St Louis, 4:53 p.m.
Shoplifting, 507 Decatur, 6:44 p.m.
Theft, 1000 Decatur, 9:25 p.m.
Armed Robbery, 2300 Decatur, 11:04 p.m.
Bicycle Theft, 932 Bourbon, 11:47 p.m.

Saturday (1.7.12)

Pickpocketing, 448 Bourbon, 2:28 a.m.
Armed Robbery, 500 Natchez, 7:57 a.m.
Theft, 942 Ursulines, 12:43 p.m.
Auto Theft, Bourbon & Esplanade, 1:40 p.m.
Theft, 441 Bourbon, 2:13 p.m.
Auto Theft, 438 Dauphine, 2:43 p.m.
Aggravated Battery, 750 Decatur, 5:19 p.m.
Auto Theft, 2110 Royal, 5:43 p.m.
Theft, 219 Carondelet, 9:14 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 800 Elysian Fields, 10:11 p.m.
Simple Robbery, 1500 Poydras, 11:11 p.m.
Theft, 301 Dauphine, 11:19 p.m.

Sunday (1.8.12)

Pickpocketing, Bourbon & St Peter, 1:04 a.m.
Simple Robbery, 400 Bourbon, 1:42 a.m.
Pickpocketing (attempted), 200 Bourbon, 3:28 a.m.
Pickpocketing, 417 Bourbon, 3:59 a.m.
Pickpocketing, 400 Dauphine, 4:31 a.m.
Theft, 843 Camp, 6:45 a.m.
Theft, 614 Canal, 11:37 a.m.
Auto Theft, Decatur & Elysian Fields, 12:56 p.m.
Rape, 309 Decatur, 12:56 p.m.
Theft, 415 Dauphine, 3:29 p.m.
Theft, 100 Iberville, 3:59 p.m.
Shoplifting, 333 Chartres, 4:24 p.m.
Theft, 300 Bourbon, 4:45 p.m.
Pickpocketing, Bourbon & St Louis, 8:26 p.m.
Auto Theft, Burgundy & Pauger, 8:51 p.m.
Theft, 334 Royal, 9:08 p.m.
Theft, 441 Bourbon, 9:36 p.m.
Pickpocketing, 600 Bourbon, 11:19 p.m.

Monday (1.9.12)

Pickpocketing, 400 Bourbon, 12:25 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 800 Union, 12:38 a.m.
Auto Theft (recovery), 200 Clinton, 7:00 a.m.
Auto Theft, Barracks & Royal, 9:34 a.m.
Simple Robbery, 100 N Rampart, 11:23 a.m.
Theft, Bourbon & St Peter, 1:18 p.m.
Theft, 725 St Peter, 8:38 p.m.
Aggravated Battery (shooting), 700 S Rampart, 9:35 p.m.
Simple Robbery, Bourbon & St Ann, 9:47 p.m.
Aggravated Battery, 620 Decatur, 9:59 p.m.
Aggravated Assault, 1300 Canal, 10:01 p.m.
Theft, 601 Poydras, 10:42 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 1150 Convention Center, 11:20 p.m.

Tuesday (1.10.12)

Auto Burglary, 1300 Canal, 12:12 a.m.
Pickpocketing, 1500 Poydras, 12:16 a.m.
Aggravated Battery, Bourbon & Dumaine, 1:17 a.m.
Aggravated Battery, Bourbon & Dumaine, 1:38 a.m.
Pursesnatching, 400 Bourbon, 2:33 a.m.
Armed Robbery, 600 Gravier, 4:49 a.m.
Auto Theft, Burgundy & Conti, 10:31 a.m.
Auto Theft, Gravier & Tchoupitoulas, 10:45 a.m.
Theft, 500 Canal, 2:20 p.m.
Auto Theft, Burgundy & St Philip, 2:27 p.m.
Theft, 1119 Decatur, 3:17 p.m.
Auto Theft, 500 Common, 3:25 p.m.
Theft, 214 Royal, 5:37 p.m.
Theft, 441 Bourbon, 6:18 p.m.
Theft, 511 Bourbon, 10:15 p.m.
Armed Robbery, 640 Carondelet, 10:29 p.m.

Wednesday (1.11.12)

Auto Burglary, 1100 Bourbon, 2:41 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 1000 Ursulines, 4:35 a.m.
Bicycle Theft, 2328 Chartres, 7:58 a.m.
Shoplifting, 610 Royal, 10:11 a.m.
Shoplifting, 719 Royal, 11:04 a.m.
Theft, 541 Bourbon, 11:08 a.m.
Shoplifting, 709 Royal, 12:18 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 600 Baronne, 2:19 p.m.
Theft, 437 Esplanade, 6:07 p.m.
Simple Robbery, Dauphine & Pauger, 9:50 p.m.
Residence Burglary, 1021 St Anthony, 10:34 p.m.
Auto Theft, 900 Tchoupitoulas, 11:39 p.m.

Thursday (1.12.12)

Pickpocketing, 400 Bourbon, 12:48 a.m.
Pickpocketing, 511 Bourbon, 1:18 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 200 Burgundy, 2:13 a.m.
Pickpocketing, 511 Bourbon, 3:08 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 1024 Bienville, 9:34 a.m.
Theft, 333 Poydras, 12:22 p.m.
Bicycle Theft, 805 Mandeville, 3:06 p.m.
Shoplifting, 700 Royal, 7:33 p.m.
Simple Robbery, 100 Royal, 8:01 p.m.
Shoplifting, 900 Canal, 8:24 p.m.
Theft, 8 Canal, 8:34 p.m.
Theft, 740 Burgundy, 9:09 p.m.

Friday (1.13.12)

Auto Theft, 2109 Decatur, 5:14 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 700 Loyola, 9:48 a.m.
Theft, 739 Canal, 4:06 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 700 Spain, 7:15 p.m.
Theft, 635 Bourbon, 8:07 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 2539 Burgundy, 9:28 p.m.

Saturday (1.14.12)

Theft, 333 Poydras, 3:34 a.m.
Theft, 555 Canal, 7:27 a.m.
Business Burglary, 631 Toulouse, 9:42 a.m.
Theft, 921 Canal, 6:06 p.m.
Theft, 100 Iberville, 6:17 p.m.
Theft, 114 Magazine, 6:35 p.m.
Theft, 739 Canal, 6:49 p.m.
Theft, 739 Canal, 8:37 p.m.
Auto Burglary, Frenchmen & N Rampart, 11:06 p.m.
Theft, 739 Canal, 11:45 p.m.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

When push comes to shove

2011-12-29T17:22:00.017-06:00

Fighting words: NOPD officers never quite know how to handle the culprits in a fight. For instance, this past week they were thrilled they finally arrested a suspect in a vicious attack on a 27-year-old local drunk at the Jax Brewery Bistro Bar.

The police report said the suspect put the victim in a headlock, choked him until he lost consciousness, then threw him down a flight of stairs head-first around 12:15 a.m. on 10.16.11.

Later it was revealed the victim was in the process of being 86'd from the bar's outdoor patio after he threw an empty beer bottle at a parked pick-up truck. While in the grasp of the bouncer, he bumped into another customer, spilling his drink. That customer, rather than saying "Whoa, dude", went ballistic on the drunk.

A police report was written, but strangely it took 7 weeks for the NOPD to release a picture of the alleged attacker from the bar's video surveillance--after the victim moaned that he'd been in a coma and treated for massive injuries that he couldn't pay for because he had no health insurance.

It took 10 days before the suspect was identified as Jason S. Lawrence, 23. He surrendered at Central Lock-Up on 12.14.11 and was charged with 2nd-degree battery; he was released the same day on $25,000 bond.

Ironically, later that same morning around 4:30 a.m. after the Jax brouhaha, Dr. Brent Hechfeld was found on the sidewalk at Dauphine and Dumaine streets bleeding profusely. Cops on the scene wrote it off as a "medical situation" and left without writing a report--until later when the victim died and the coroner called it a homicide.

It took them only 3 weeks to view video surveillance tapes and identify a suspect. Bobby J. Troy Jr., 19, was arrested in Missouri 4 days later and was extradited to New Orleans on 12.13.11, charged with 2nd-degree murder and armed robbery. He's in OPP on $450,000 bond.

Contrast all this with an incident a couple of years ago involving the son of the Gretna police chief who is an aide to a prominent Jefferson Parish councilman. In the wee hours of the morning on Canal Street, he round-housed on a 21-year-old guy from Texas who was annoying him and his friends, putting the victim in the hospital with a coma.

8th District cops on the scene wrote the chief's son a summons for misdemeanor simple battery, sending him to municipal court to have his hand slapped. What's the difference between this coma case and the Jax dust-up? Oh, yeah: his daddy's a top cop and his boss is a big wig.

Hey taxi driver!: Yeah, I'm talking to you, scumbag. NOPD sex crimes detectives are looking for a Middle Eastern-looking driver for American Taxi who picked up an 18-year-old white girl early on the morning of 12.17.11 around 2:30 a.m. at 839 S. Peters St. in the Warehouse District and tried to rape her in the cab. She managed to escape from cab in the 9200 block of Airline Highway and sought help.

The creep driving the cab was described as of Middle Eastern descent or possibly Hispanic. He's thought to be in his mid-30's, with a stocky build, unkempt with "scruffy" facial hair. The cab he was driving had the American Taxi logo on the side of the white minivan, which was possibly a Toyota Sienna.

If you see this driver (composite sketch), call Det. Corey M. Lymous of the NOPD's Special Victims Section, 658-5523.

Remember a few years ago when a driver for American Taxi raped a fare he picked up Uptown. Did they ever catch that guy? You'd think the cab company could tell you who was driving a given cab at a given time. Where's the Taxicab Bureau when you really need them? Check American Taxi's website to see what past fares have to say about its drivers.

Not the only one: Another young white woman was the victim of an attempted rape a couple of days later. A 19-year-old woman was in a parking garage at 819 Iberville St. (between Bourbon and Dauphine streets) in the middle of the day 12.19.11 around 11:27 a.m. when she was attacked by a black punk. She suffered minor cuts in the attack, but she managed to fight him off and send him fleeing from the garage.

The creep is described as 20 to 23 years old, 5'7" tall, weighing 150 to 175 pounds, with an athletic build, a dark complexion, unshaven or a light beard, hair braided to the scalp with a white seashell on the end of each braid which hung off his head about 2", wearing a white T-shirt with blue and gray tribal designs, a black denim jacket with possibly a black hood, gray stone-washed (worn) jeans, high-top black and red Nike sneakers with a checkered design on the heel.

(That's the best description of a perp I've read in the 5 years I've been writing these reports. Hurray for the victim who paid such close attention!)

He is believed to frequent hotels on Tulane Avenue and hang out in the French Quarter. Another sexual assault occurred 2 days after this one on 12.21.11 around 9 p.m. on Tulane, right by Tulane University Hospital.

If you see this perp (composite sketch), call Det. Merrell Merricks of the NOPD's Special Victims Section, 658-5539.

iPhones the root of all evil: Or maybe all robberies. For a while there it seemed like the bulk of the robberies were motivated by motor-mouths who didn't see the robbers coming. Many but not all robberies involving iPhones:

Monday (12.5.11) 6:40 p.m.: A 54-year-old man was jabbering on his iPhone in the 600 block of Royal Street when a black guy ran up and grabbed the phone from his hand and kept on running to St. Peter Street where he turned toward N. Rampart Street.

The thief was described as 6' tall, with a thin build, wearing a brown hoodie and blue jeans.

Friday (12.9.11) 6:30 p.m.: A white man (no age given) was standing in the 400 block of Royal Street using his iPhone when a black thug rode up on his bicycle and snatched the man's phone.

The victim struggled with the robber, but the robber got away with the phone--but left his bicycle. He ran up Royal to St. Louis Street and turned toward Chartres Street.

Friday (12.9.11) 10:55 p.m.: A 48-year-old white lady arrived home at 724 Gov. Nicholls St. to be greeted in her courtyard by 3 black punks who demanded her iPhone, keys and purse. She gave up her purse and they fled.

One of the robbers was described as having a slim build and wide mouth, wearing a dark knit cap, thick jacket and dark baggie jeans; the second was described as wearing a light-colored top and light-colored pants and a dark knit cap; there was no description of the third robber.

Sunday (12.11.11) 7:55 p.m.: A 52-year-old white man walking in the 200 block of Chartres Street had his iPhone snatched from his by a black boy who fled on foot. The victim chased down the robber and retrieved his phone and held the robber until police arrived.

They arrested Kalin Johnson, 21, and charged him with simple robbery. He is in OPP on $25,000 bond.

Wednesday (12.14.11) 1:15 a.m.: A 26-year-old white woman standing at Bourbon and St. Ann streets texting on her iPhone had it grabbed from her hand by a black boy who fled on Bourbon toward Dumaine Street.

He was described as 5'5" tall, extremely skinny, wearing a red baseball cap, red and black hoodie, blue jeans, and red and black tennis shoes.

Wednesday (12.14.11) 3:35 p.m.: Two elderly Asian women, one 68, the other 71, were robbed of one of their purses when a gang of 2 black girls and 2 black boys coming from the opposite direction accosted them at Decatur and Dumaine streets.

The female robbers were described as wearing khaki pants, one with a red jacket, the other with a white shirt; one of the boys was wearing black pants and white shirt, the other wearing khaki pants and a black jacket.

Sunday (12.17.11) 2:30 a.m.: A 30-year-old white woman was about to get in her car in the 800 block of St. Peter Street when a black thug grabbed her from behind and pulled her purse from her grasp before fleeing on foot toward Dauphine Street.

He was only described as having shoulder-length dreadlocks and wearing a dark-colored sweatshirt.

Sunday (12.17.11) 3:00 a.m.: The 61-year-old proprietor of a Lucky Dog cart at Bourbon and Iberville streets was counting his money when a black punk came up and grabbed it from his hand before fleeing on Iberville toward the river.

The robber was described as 20 to 30 years old, 5'9" tall, with a stocky build, wearing a blue jacket, red T-shirt and blue jeans.

Sunday (12.18.11) 11:00 p.m.: A 57-year-old white man walking on Bourbon Street near Ursulines Street when a black thug blocked his path and then grabbed his wallet. The perp fled to a car at the corner and sped away.

The victim was unable to give a description either of the car or the robber.

Friday (12.23.11) 7:10 p.m.: A 28-year-old Asian female was standing near Tchoupitoulas and Canal streets when a black crook swooped down on her and grabbed her iPhone out of her hand.

He is described as 6' tall, weighing 150 pounds, wearing a red jacket and blue jeans.

Friday (12.23.11) 7:20 p.m.: A 30-year-old white woman walking and talking on Toulouse Street near Chartres Street had her iPhone swiped out of her hand by a 15-year-old black boy whom 8th District cops later caught.

Sunday (12.25.11) 7:00 a.m.: A 39-year-old Asian woman had her iPhone stolen out of her hand by a black thug as she was walking near Conti and N. Rampart streets.

The perp was described as 25 to 30 years old,, 5'9" to 5'10" tall, weighing 145 to 150 pounds, wearing a white jacket.

Wednesday (12.28.11) 4:30 p.m.: An undercover 8th District cop dressed in plain clothes nabbed a 14-year-old black boy just minutes after the juvenile snatched an iPhone from the hands of a 58-year-old white man who was texting on the phone at Chartres and St. Louis streets.

Ofc. Jason Collins chased the boy and his accomplice, catching only the thief. The boy denied stealing the phone, at which point Ofc. Collins asked the victim for the phone's number. He called the number and the phone started ringing in the miscreant's pocket. The phone was returned to its owner and the boy was booked with simple robbery.

It would be nice to know what happens to the little crook in the judicial system. Of course, because he's a juvenile, we'll never know, though he probably wouldn't get any more than a slap on the wrist like other phone thieves (see item below).

Wednesday (12.28.11) 5:25 p.m.: A 24-year-old white woman walking near Andrew Higgins Drive and Constance Street in the CBD was accosted by 2 black robbers who pushed her against the wall and demanded her money. She complied and they fled into a waiting car on Constance.

She described one as 5'11" tall, wearing a beige sweatshirt, and the other as 5'9" tall.

Judge doesn't care: Once again, Criminal Court Judge Darryl Derbigny has shown he doesn't care if citizens in the French Quarter are being robbed right and left of their iPhones.

On 12.19.11, Leonard Gamble, 21, pled guilty to simple robbery for an iPhone theft last January. His punishment? Derbigny gave him a 3-year suspended sentence, setting him free.

I doubt Gamble believes that's punishment at all--he probably figures he got away with something.

In September, Judge Derbigny let 2 young crooks plead to lesser charges in 2 iPhone thefts and gave them a 2-year suspended sentence--once again signalling to them they did nothing wrong because they got to go free.

If you're tired of this kind of lax "punishment" by Judge Derbigny, let him know by clicking on his name and emailing him with your thoughts--maybe forward him a copy of this article.

The ones with guns: And sometimes they use them. On 12.12.11 around 6:25 p.m., a 39-year-old white man sitting with his girlfriend along the river near St. Louis Street had their tranquility disturbed by an immigrant who tried to take the woman's purse. When the boyfriend demanded he drop it, the perp fled. As he was running away, he turned and said something to the victim and then fired 2 shots from a semi-automatic handgun, one of which struck the victim in the right abdomen.

The shooter was described as Hispanic, late 40's to early 50's, 5'3" to 5'4" tall, weighing 180 to 190 pounds, with a stocky build, salt-and-pepper hair and visible age lines around his eyes and cheeks, spoke with a heavy Hispanic accent and broken English, wearing a black sweatshirt with a leather zipper jacket, blue shirt and black jeans, black boots.

If you see this thug (composite sketch), call 8th District Det. Steve Nolan at 658-6733.

Other armed robberies:

Friday (12.2.11) 9:05 p.m.: A 33-year-old white man returning home on Burgundy Street near St. Louis Street around 9:05 p.m. was set upon by a gang of 3 young punks, one of whom pulled a pistol and demanded the man's money.

The gunman was described as 16 to 17 years old, 5'7" tall, weighing 135 to 140 pounds, wearing a blue hoodie, khaki pants and black-framed glasses.

Saturday (12.3.11) 4:09 a.m.: A 31-year-old white man tourist walking near Dauphine and St. Louis streets on the way back to his hotel was robbed by a knife-wielding robber.

He was described as a white male, 5'10" tall, with a medium build, wearing a gray hoodie.

Sunday (12.4.11) 1:10 p.m.: A black dude was standing near Poydras Street and Loyola Avenue when a guy he knew got out of a white Nissan sedan and demanded money while wielding a knife. The victim fled into traffic and his friend got back in the car and fled the area. A black chick with the would-be robber egged him on, but never got out of the car.

The victim chose not to describe his assailants.

Sunday (12.18.11) 5:58 a.m.: A black dude entered Poppy's Time Out Sports Bar, 1 Poydras St., pulled out a handgun and demanded cash from the safe. The 2 bartenders complied and the thief fled on foot through Spanish Plaza.

Neither bartender could give much of a description of the robber, other than he had a thin build and was wearing all dark clothing.

Saturday (12.24.11) 11:30 p.m.: When a car driven by 2 Hispanic men, one 24 and the other 25, stopped at a red light in the 1200 block of Convention Center Boulevard, 2 armed black guys came up and demanded their money. They complied and the robbers fled on foot.

The victims weren't able to give a description of their assailants.

Tuesday (12.27.11) 9:05 p.m.: A 29-year-old white man walking in the 1400 block of Dauphine street near Esplanade Avenue was accosted by a gang of 3 blacks--perhaps the same one who's been terrorizing the Marigny in the last few days. Two of them produced handguns and demanded his money; he complied and they fled on foot.

Two of the perps were described as skinny, one wearing a black hoodie and blue jeans and the other wearing a navy-blue hoodie; the third was described as wearing a red knit cap and gray sweatshirt.

Graffitist nabbed: In what may be the first arrest in the French Quarter under the new law calling for stiffer penalties for scrawling graffiti on walls in historic districts, an alert 8th District officer arrested Anthony Chapman, 32, on a charge of "criminal damage to a historic building or landmark" last week (12.21.11).

The officer found Chapman allegedly drawing on the wall with a permanent market at Uncle Wilbur's Emporium, 1039 Decatur St., at the corner of Ursulines Avenue. The marks didn't amount to much by graffiti standards, but enough to violate the law which now makes graffiti in the Quarter a felony with a penalty of up to 2 years in jail.

Chapman is in OPP on $5,000 bond.

Where's Narkee Hunter?: Narkee Hunter, who achieved near-legendary stature for beating a murder rap for a shooting in 2008 at Club Hush--the name then for the notorious club at 300 Decatur St.

A jury of his peers (what a sorry lot they must have been) acquitted him of 2nd-degree murder and attempted murder in 2010 after 30 witnesses testified against him.

But now Hunter, now 23, might not elicit the same sympathy from black folks. The NOPD has identified him as the shooter in the drive-by last week (12.21.11) that killed that little 2-year-old girl in the B.W. Cooper housing project and arrested him in Gretna, where he lives.

When they get him back from Jefferson Parish, where he's being held in their hoosegow, they'll charge him with 2nd-degree murder and maybe more. He's still being held in Jefferson Parish on charges of drug possession (oxycodone, crack, etc.) that he'll have to fess up to.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

New targets for robbers... old folks, blacks, Burgundy

2011-12-01T16:01:00.017-06:00

Never too old: It used to be, it seemed, that the victims of robberies in the French Quarter were younger, in their 20's or 30's. But lately, it seems like robbers are targeting older, AARP card carriers, in their 50's and 60's.

Hard to see why it's changed--the hours and locations are about the same. Maybe with the perception that robberies are down, the older folks are relaxing their vigilance--that's the last thing any of us should do.

What's the lesson here? Often you can say victims are inviting trouble by being on the streets in the wee hours. But half of these cases were in daylight or early evening hours. Where were the cops? The NOPD is touting a new half-million-dollar mapping system to pinpoint crime, but perhaps officers haven't gotten up to the chapter on "Burgundy Street" yet. Most of the robberies were on or near Burgundy. You would think the NOPD brass--or their fancy new computer software--would see the trend over that month and put more cops on the beat. But instead, this is what happened:

Thursday (10.27.11): 8th District cops apprehended Ricky Wilson, 21, believed to be one of 3 black robbers who struck twice within 5 minutes apart in the French Quarter. At 7 p.m., a 62-year-old white woman was walking near Burgundy and Dumaine streets when she was approached by the trio of robbers and one grabbed her purse from her grasp.

About 5 minutes earlier, at 6:55 p.m., a 29-year-old white man walking near Decatur and Ursulines streets was approached by the gang, one of whom struck him and demanded money. The victim told them he had none and ran away from them.

Wilson was charged with pursesnatching, attempted simple robbery, battery, and possession of stolen things. He is in OPP on $55,000 bond.

Tuesday (11.8.11) 3:00 a.m.: A 53-year-old white man walking on Burgundy Street near Barracks Street when he was held up by 3 black punks. He heard footsteps behind him, then felt a push on his back and one of the hoods telling him to "give it up." He handed him his wallet, then the robber fled on foot along with his buddies on Burgundy toward N. Rampart Street.

All the perps were described as 17 to 20 years old, one 5'7" tall, skinny build, wearing dark jeans and a yellow hoodie; the second 6'1" tall, skinny build, wearing dark clothes; the third 5'7" tall, wearing dark clothing.

Friday (11.11.11) 1:15 a.m.: A 52-year-old white man standing on N. Rampart Street near Pauger Street in the Marigny Triangle was robbed by 2 black guys, one of whom pulled a silver-colored automatic handgun and demanded his money. After the victim complied, the duo took off on foot up Pauger toward St. Claude Avenue.

The gunman was described as 5'10" tall, with a slim build and shoulder-length dreadlocks, wearing dark clothing; the other was described only as wearing dark clothing.

Friday (11.11.11) 1:10 a.m.: A 66-year-old white gentleman walking on Burgundy Street near Ursulines Street was accosted by 3 black thugs, one of whom pulled a handgun and demanded his money.

The robbers' descriptions were similar to those given in other robberies: one was 5'6" tall with a slim build, wearing dark clothing; the other 2 as 6'1" tall with slim builds, wearing dark clothing.

Saturday (11.19.11) 6:54 p.m.: A pair of black boys engaged a 52-year-old white woman waiting at the bus stop at Gov. Nicholls and N. Rampart streets in conversation. After a few minutes, one grabbed $2 in cash from her hand and then grabbed her bicycle which was next to her. They took off on N. Rampart toward Elysian Fields Avenue.

She described them only as about 14 years old wearing dark clothing.

Thursday (11.24.11) 12:45 a.m.: A 52-year-old white gentleman and his 22-year-old daughter walking on Bourbon Street near St. Ann Street when a black dude came up and started going through the man's pant's pockets. When the victim objected, the robber punched him in the eye and fled down Bourbon.

He was described as 30 to 40 years old, 5'7" tall, weighing 140 pounds, clean shaven and short hair, wearing a dark-colored hoodie.

Thursday (11.24.11) 10:50 a.m.: A 64-year-old white lady was standing in the 1200 block of Burgundy Street (between Barracks and Gov. Nicholls streets) when a black man came up and asked for directions before he snatched her purse and fled on foot toward Esplanade Avenue.

The robber was described as 35 to 40 years old, 5'10" tall, with a thin build and crew cut, wearing dark clothing.

Another new trend: It's been practically axiomatic in the NOPD's 8th District (French Quarter, Downtown, and Marigny Triangle) through recent years that almost always in robberies the victims are white and the perpetrators are black--until the past 2 weeks. All of a sudden blacks started showing up as victims, and except for one case, the robbers were black:

Monday (11.14.11) 11:05 a.m.: A 27-year-old black woman was sitting in her car in the 1900 block of Dauphine Street (between Pauger and Touro streets) in the Marigny Triangle when 2 black thugs came up, one armed with a black and chrome handgun and ordered her out of her vehicle. They fled in the car on Dauphine toward Elysian Fields Avenue.

The following day, with the help of St. Bernard Sheriff's deputies, 8th District detectives located the vehicle and arrested Desmond Woodberry, 19. He is in the St. Bernard Parish hoosegow, awaiting extradition to Orleans Parish; his accomplice is still at large.

The robbers were described as 25 to 30 years old, 5'10" tall with thin builds; one sported a thin mustache and the other dreadlocks; one had a black hat and the other a red hat.

Thursday (11.24.11) 10:20 p.m.: A 14-year-old black boy walking on Burgundy Street near St. Ann Street was attacked by 2 white thugs who approached him from behind and struck him with glass bottles (another one of those unenforced laws), knocking him to the ground. The perps then held him on the ground and pulled out a knife, demanding his money, rifling his pockets for cash. A passerby intervened and the crooks fled.

Officers responding to the call arrested Drew Eichenseur (left), 21, and Lee Mansfield (right), 33. Each was charged with attempted armed robbery and aggravated battery; each is being held on $55,000 bond in OPP.

Saturday (11.26.11) 1:20 a.m.: A 21-year-old black chick walking on St. Ann Street near Jackson Square while texting on her iPhone was relieved of that infernal device by a black punk who ran up and grabbed it from her hand.

He was described as in his late teens to early 20's, with short hair, wearing a red V-neck sweater and dark pants.

Saturday (11.26.11) 4:57 a.m.: A 20-year-old black woman had her purse snatched from her hand by a black guy as she was boarding the elevator at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 315 Julia St.

Police located a suspect fitting the description the victim gave and she positively identified him as the perpetrator. They arrested Christopher Payne, 24, who was charged with pursesnatching. He was released from OPP on 12.2.11 on $10,500 bond.

Wednesday (11.30.11) 4:20 p.m.: A 45-year-old black lady getting out of car in the 2000 block of Burgundy Street (between Touro and Frenchmen streets) when she was accosted by a black dude who produced what she believed to be a weapon and demanded money. When she said she didn't have any, he demanded her car keys. He fled in her vehicle with her purse and cellphone (wouldn't you love it if detectives would give you a description of a stolen auto if they really want your help in solving a crime?).

He was described as 5'9" tall, weighing 170 pounds, wearing a white Saints jersey, dark sweatpants, and a dark beanie cap.

More iPhone stupidity: There are some who still haven't gotten the memo about talking/texting on their iPhone while walking down the street. To wit:

Sunday (11.27.11) : A 27-year-old black woman walking and talking on Bourbon Street near Bienville Street when a black boy snatched her iPhone out of her hand.

Police located a suspect fitting the victim's description of him, and booked Johnny Williams, 17, with simple robbery, resisting an officer, and possession of stolen things. He is being held in OPP on $13,500 bond.

Wednesday (11.30.11) 9:05 p.m.: A 29-year-old white guy standing at Bourbon and St. Peter streets was talking on his iPhone when a black thug ran up, snatched the phone from his hand, and kept running on St. Peter to Dauphine Street.

The thief was described as 6' tall, weighing 200 pounds, with a dark complexion and short twisted hair.

The rest of the robberies: No new trends, just more thievery:

Wednesday (10.26.11) 12:40 a.m.: A 36-year-old white man walking in the 500 block of Dumaine Street near Decatur Street was accosted by 2 black punks brandishing a knife demanded his money. They fled on foot with his money, wallet and cellphone.

Both the robbers were described as 18 to 20 years old, 5'8" to 5'10" tall, with thin builds.

Saturday (10.29.11) 2:00 a.m.: A 29-year-old white man walking in the 500 block of Bienville Street (between Decatur and Chartres streets) when he was accosted by a black thug who knocked him to the ground and took his wallet from his pocket before fleeing on foot.

The victim was too oblivious to give a description of his attacker.

Monday (11.7.11) 5:30 a.m.: A white couple, he 38, she 30, were walking on Bourbon Street near Dumaine Street behind 2 black chicks when a car pulled up and 2 black dudes got out. The black women began attacking his girlfriend and taking her purse, while the men pulled a gun and struck him with it, going through his pockets, taking what they could. The quartet of crooks got back in the car and fled.

And for all that, the victims couldn't describe their attackers or the vehicle they fled in. Guess the early morning after the night before will do that to you.

Saturday (11.12.11) 7:00 p.m.: A 25-year-old white woman walking on Decatur Street by Jackson Square was accosted by a gang of 4 black punks who grabbed her purse from her grasp and then fled on foot on the Moonwalk toward Canal Street.

She was unable to give a detailed description of the perps.

Friday (11.18.11) 2:30 a.m.: Call it the case of "The Persistent Pizza Pursuer". A 25-year-old white woman and her friend came out of pizza joint on Bourbon Street when a black no-good came up and asked for her pizza. She declined, and he harassed her for 2 blocks, then returned a block later, continually demanding her pizza and yelling things at her.

Finally he was told to leave her alone as the couple tried to get back to their hotel in the 100 block of Carondelet Street off Canal. He appeared to comply, but showed up a half block later, grabbing her from behind in a bear hug. The woman got free and pushed him away and he fled. It was then she realized her wallet was no longer in her purse.

After all that, she could only describe the perp as a black man with short hair, wearing a dark coat. Should have given him the pizza--it would have helped identify him. You could have gotten another pizza at Domino's at 135 Carondelet.

Saturday (11.26.11) 5:20 a.m.: A 21-year-old man strolling the Quarter was approached by a black chick who directed him to the 500 block of Wilkinson Street near Decatur Street (for what, no one's saying). There he was attacked from behind by a black dude who punched him in the eye, doubling him over and allowing the attacker to go through his pants pockets.

The chick was described as in her early 20's, 5'9" tall, with a thin build and shoulder-length hair. Her accomplice was 20 to 30 years old, 6'2" or 6'3", wearing a red or gray shirt and blue jeans.

Sunday (11.27.11) 1:00 a.m.: A 24-year-old white man and a friend who were standing at Burgundy and Kerlerec streets was accosted by a black guy who demanded his money. Then a second black thug appeared and put the victim in a headlock. The victim managed to free himself, only to find the first thug had pulled out a handgun. He threw his money on the ground and fled.

The first robber was described as 40 years old, 6' tall, with a medium build, wearing a dark hat, blue jean jacket, and blue jeans. The second robber was described as late 20's to early 30's years old, skinny, wearing a white rag on his head covered by a dark hat and wearing a gray Saints T-shirt.

From the mind of a criminal: It's interesting to see how the criminal mind works and how it justifies its actions. Admittedly, it was a rather convoluted case, no doubt because of what the victim and the suspects told the police. But here are the details: Donovan Krieger, now 20, was arrested 5.17.09 and booked with armed robbery with a firearm. On 11.30.09, the DA agreed to reduce the charge to simple robbery. Krieger took the deal and pled guilty to the lesser charge. The judge sentenced him to 3 years of hard labor, which included another charge in Jefferson Parish. He got out of prison on 11.15.11. He emailed this to NOcrimeline on 11.26.11 with his side of the story. It's published here verbatim, without correcting spelling or punctuation:

"ya you need to get your facts stright befor you post something about someone on your web site this is donovan krieger there was no robbery an I nor my passenger new this person my passenger was sellina ounce of weed to the vitcim but later found out that the money being used to purchus the weed was stolen from his cuzen a couple of hours earlyer so when the victim HANDED OVER THE MONEY ON HIS FREE WILL WITH OUT ME NOR MY PASSENGER DEMANDING FOR IT THE VICTIUM ACTULLY SAID THAT HE STOLE THE MONEY FROM SOMEONE IN WHICH HE SAID THE NAME AND THE NAME WAS MY PASSENGERS CUZEN SO THEN SINCE THE VICTUM ALLREADY HANDED OVER THE MONEY ON HIS FREEWILL MY PASSENGER TOLD HIM TO GET OUT THE CAR AND WE LEFT AND WENT AND GAVE THE MONEY BACK TO ITS RIGHT FULL OWNER. thank you for our time and thank you for messing up on my report to wear now when I go find a job I wont get hired thank you very much!!!"

* * *

Crimes in the past month in the 8th District

Sunday (10.30.11)

Simple Robbery, 226 Carondelet, 12:31 a.m.
Auto Theft-Attempt, 1300 Perdido, 12:55 a.m.
Theft, 1104 Canal, 7:09 a.m.
Auto Theft, Gov Nicholls & N Rampart, 7:30 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 2 Poydras, 10:36 a.m.
Simple Robbery, Bienville & Bourbon, 10:55 a.m.
Theft, 945 Magazine, 4:53 p.m.
Theft, 600 Decatur, 5:40 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 600 Gravier, 10:54 p.m.

Monday (10.31.11)

Auto Theft, O'Keefe & Poydras, 3:15 a.m.
Auto Theft, Constance & Lafayette, 8:52 a.m.
Theft, 921 Canal, 10:40 a.m.
Theft, 444 St Charles, 1:07 p.m.
Shoplifting, 619 Decatur, 1:55 p.m.
Pickpocketing, 501 Bourbon, 11:54 p.m.

Tuesday (11.1.11)

Homicide, 500 Bourbon, 12:13 a.m.
Homicide, Canal & University, 1:46 a.m.
Aggravated Battery, Burgundy & Conti, 2:03 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 1000 Iberville, 4:05 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 407 Baronne, 6:06 a.m.
Theft, 601 Loyola, 10:55 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 800 Frenchmen, 1:02 p.m.
Shoplifting, 134 Royal, 1:12 p.m.
Auto Burglary, Bienville & N Front, 4:25 p.m.
Aggravated Assault, Elk & Loyola, 7:17 p.m.

Wednesday (11.2.11)

Auto Burglary, 332 St Charles, 7:13 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 1001 Burgundy, 9:20 a.m.
Theft, 718 Bourbon, 1:18 p.m.
Theft, 135 St Charles, 4:18 p.m.
Theft, 1001 Toulouse, 4:19 p.m.
Auto Theft, 860 Magazine, 5:38 p.m.
Theft, 132 Royal, 6:37 p.m.
Theft, 320 Decatur, 9:37 p.m.
Auto Theft, Bienville & Clinton, 11:33 p.m.

Thursday (11.3.11)

Bicycle Theft, Carondelet & Common, 3:02 a.m.
Bicycle Theft, 8 Canal, 4:12 p.m.
Simple Robbery, 100 Bourbon, 6:21 p.m.

Friday (11.4.11)

Theft, 600 Bourbon, 6:58 p.m.
Theft, 709 St Charles, 7:32 p.m.
Pickpocketing, 500 Bourbon, 9:21 p.m.
Bicycle Theft, 1001 Esplanade, 11:44 p.m.
Theft, 441 Bourbon, 11:54 p.m.

Saturday (11.5.11)

Pickpocketing, 701 Bourbon, 12:40 a.m.
Theft, 606 Frenchmen, 12:40 a.m.
Simple Robbery, 400 N Peters, 3:49 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 100 Conti, 10:22 p.m.

Sunday (11.6.11)

Theft, 241 Bourbon, 1:00 a.m.
Pickpocketing, 411 Bourbon, 1:35 a.m.
Pursesnatching, 544 Bourbon, 2:08 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 900 Iberville, 2:49 a.m.
Pickpocketing, 345 St Joseph, 4:42 a.m.
Theft, 201 Baronne, 10:23 a.m.
Theft, 300 Gravier, 10:59 a.m.
Theft, 500 St Peter, 12:27 p.m.
Auto Burglary, Baronne & Union, 6:07 p.m.
Simple Robbery, Carondelet & Common, 7:01 p.m.
Auto Theft, 1600 Gravier, 7:59 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 1007 Conti, 10:49 p.m.
Theft, 441 Bourbon, 11:39 p.m.

Monday (11.7.11)

Robbery, 800 Dumaine, 5:20 a.m.
Auto Theft, 930 Kerlerec, 8:14 a.m.
Theft, 527 Decatur, 11:30 a.m.
Shoplifting, 907 Decatur, 11:44 a.m.
Theft, 365 Canal, 12:09 p.m.
Auto Theft, 800 Common, 1:17 p.m.

Tuesday (11.8.11)

Pickpocketing, 200 Bourbon, 12:53 a.m.
Theft, 516 Bourbon, 1:55 a.m.
Simple Robbery, 1200 Burgundy, 3:05 a.m.
Pickpocketing, 439 Dauphine, 3:38 a.m.
Theft, 718 Orleans, 4:25 p.m.
Auto Theft, 700 O'Keefe, 6:29 p.m.
Theft, 632 Bourbon, 9:12 p.m.

Wednesday (11.9.11)

Auto Theft, 900 Canal, 12:40 a.m.
Auto Burglary, Decatur & St Peter, 6:45 a.m.
Bicycle Theft (Attempt), 900 Magazine, 10:51 a.m.
Armed Robbery, Iberville & Royal, 11:21 a.m.
Theft, 500 Canal, 1:01 p.m.
Pursesnatching (attempted), Canal & Magazine, 4:57 p.m.

Thursday (11.10.11)

Bicycle Theft, 900 Camp, 5:20 p.m.

Friday (11.11.11)

Theft, 544 Bourbon, 1:14 a.m.
Armed Robbery, 1800 N Rampart, 1:16 a.m.
Armed Robbery, 1000 Burgundy, 1:28 a.m.
Auto Burglary, Baronne & Julia, 8:48 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 624 Gravier, 9:47 a.m.
Shoplifting, 900 Canal, 10:13 a.m.
Theft, 501 Tchoupitoulas, 2:15 p.m.
Pickpocketing, 400 Canal, 5:09 p.m.
Simple Robbery, 500 Royal, 6:03 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 927 Poeyfarre, 8:03 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 300 Picayune, 8:49 p.m.
Theft, Bourbon & Canal, 9:51 p.m.
Theft, 420 N Rampart, 11:33 p.m.

Saturday (11.12.11)

Auto Theft, Julia & Tchoupitoulas, 3:37 a.m.
Pickpocketing, 400 Bourbon, 6:46 a.m.
Theft, 500 Canal, 6:56 a.m.
Auto Theft, 900 Decatur, 8:17 a.m.
Auto Theft, 212 Chartres, 11:25 a.m.
Shoplifting, 714 Canal, 2:01 p.m.
Pickpocketing, 900 Decatur, 3:54 p.m.
Pursesnatching, Iberville & N Peters, 7:13 p.m.
Auto Theft, Chartres & Ursuline, 8:17 p.m.

Sunday (11.13.11)

Theft, 334 Royal, 12:02 a.m.
Theft, 734 Bourbon, 12:42 a.m.
Theft, 1300 Canal, 2:45 a.m.
Theft, 511 Bourbon, 3:06 a.m.
Aggravated Assault, 400 Toulouse, 3:53 a.m.
Theft, 121 Chartres, 6:58 a.m.
Auto Theft, N Diamond & Fulton, 12:29 p.m.
Theft, 417 Royal, 5:51 p.m.
Theft, 125 Bourbon, 10:37 p.m.

Monday (11.14.11)

Auto Theft, Decatur & Elysian Fields, 8:36 a.m.
Armed Robbery, 1900 Dauphine, 11:11 a.m.
Bicycle Theft, 800 Canal, 5:55 p.m.
Pickpocketing, 600 Dumaine, 11:19 p.m.

Tuesday (11.15.11)

Bicycle Theft, 1123 Decatur, 7:38 a.m.
Theft, 827 Toulouse, 9:27 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 214 Royal, 9:49 a.m.
Auto Burglary, Natchez & Tchoupitoulas, 10:00 a.m.
Shoplifting, 134 Royal, 10:50 a.m.
Bicycle Theft, 100 Bourbon, 12:09 p.m.

Wednesday (11.16.11)

Theft, 334 Royal, 4:15 a.m.
Aggravated Battery, 226 Bourbon, 5:07 a.m.
Aggravated Assault, Girod & O'Keefe, 9:22 p.m.

Thursday (11.17.11)

Theft, 921 Canal, 7:26 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 936 St Charles, 10:13 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 111 Iberville, 1:11 p.m.
Auto Burglary, Julia & St Charles, 1:35 p.m.
Auto Theft, 611 Common, 1:47 p.m.
Shoplifting, 333 Chartres, 6:29 p.m.
Theft, 700 Canal, 10:14 p.m.
Theft, 334 Royal, 10:56 p.m.

Friday (11.18.11)

Pickpocketing, 201 Bourbon, 2:24 a.m.
Pickpocketing, Bourbon & Iberville, 2:38 a.m.
Theft, 300 Bourbon, 8:17 a.m.
Theft, 8 Canal, 10:44 a.m.
Auto Theft, 1000 Iberville, 11:50 a.m.
Shoplifting, 522 Bourbon, 3:37 p.m.
Auto Theft, 215 Decatur, 4:21 p.m.
Shoplifting, 504 Bourbon, 4:43 p.m.
Theft, 927 Royal, 5:21 p.m.

Saturday (11.19.11)

Shoplifting, 262 Bourbon, 12:57 a.m.
Theft, 516 Bourbon, 1:25 p.m.
Theft, 333 Bourbon, 2:16 p.m.
Aggravated Battery (cutting), Exchange & Iberville, 4:46 p.m.
Simple Robbery, Gov Nicholls & N Rampart, 6:54 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 1000 Constance, 8:00 p.m.
Simple Robbery, 100 Carondelet, 8:41 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 1000 Constance, 8:51 p.m.
Pickpocketing, Canal & Carondelet, 9:32 p.m.
Auto Burglary, Decatur & Ursulines, 11:44 p.m.

Sunday (11.20.11)

Auto Burglary, 1100 N Peters, 2:24 p.m.
Theft, 701 Baronne, 11:30 p.m.

Monday (11.21.11)

Auto Theft, Dauphine & Touro, 12:21 a.m.
Pickpocketing, 900 Bourbon, 12:55 p.m.
Bicycle Theft, 937 Kerlerec, 1:35 p.m.
Auto Theft, 600 Dauphine, 4:32 p.m.

Tuesday (11.22.11)

Theft, 601 Loyola, 6:25 a.m.
Business Burglary, 620 Decatur, 9:09 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 920 Poeyfarre, 9:50 a.m.
Theft, 219 Loyola, 1:31 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 1000 Iberville, 2:06 p.m.
Theft, 1400 N Rampart, 2:43 p.m.
Theft, Bienville & Bourbon, 4:12 p.m.
Theft, 519 Decatur, 4:59 p.m.

Wednesday (11.23.11)

Bicycle Theft, 2034 Burgundy, 1:10 p.m.

Thursday (11.24.11)

Theft, 300 Julia, 12:05 a.m.
Simple Robbery, 700 Bourbon, 1:01 a.m.
Theft, 8 Canal, 9:30 a.m.
Pursesnatching, 1202 Burgundy, 11:01 a.m.
Aggravated Battery (shooting), 100 Baronne, 9:02 p.m.
Aggravated Battery, 700 Burgundy, 10:22 p.m.

Friday (11.25.11)

Business Burglary, 241 Royal, 1:49 a.m.
Theft, 1415 Tulane, 11:49 a.m.

Saturday (11.26.11)

Simple Robbery, 600 St Ann, 1:30 a.m.
Theft, 739 Canal, 2:25 a.m.
Pursesnatching, 315 Julia, 4:53 a.m.
Simple Robbery, 500 Wlkinson, 5:20 a.m.
Theft, 135 St Charles, 7:09 a.m.
Theft, 803 Conti, 10:37 a.m.
Auto Theft, 400 Elysian Fields, 12:43 p.m.
Theft, 1500 Poydras, 1:58 p.m.
Theft, Decatur & St Ann, 5:21 p.m.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

Judge frees iPhone thieves ...thefts now worse than ever

2011-11-16T17:25:00.012-06:00

Judge refuses to lock them up: 8th District detectives thought they were making some progress in tracking down and arresting thieves who were responsible for the burgeoning iPhone thefts in the French Quarter when they arrested 2 culprits last May for 3 thefts.

But their victory was short-lived. After charges against Dwight Murray Jr. (left),18, and Horace Toppins (right), 19, were reduced by District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro from 2 counts each of "simple robbery" to 2 counts each of "theft between $500 and $1500," the 2 defendants pled guilty 9.21.11.

Criminal District Court Judge Darryl Derbigny sentenced each of them to 2 years in prison--then suspended the sentences, apparently not considering cellphone thefts a serious business. Murray and Toppins had been free on $20,000 bond each since their arrest 5.26.11 (where do young thieves get that kind of money?)

Cops 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 3 cellphone robberies on 5.22.11. Det. Tindell Murdock developed Murray and Toppins as suspects 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 at 7:30 p.m. at Burgundy and St. Peter streets.

If Judge Derbigny's leniency was due to a misguided belief that "there's no such thing as a bad boy" maybe this will help him get over it: Toppins was arrested a month after Derbigny set him free and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute on 10.25.11. He's sitting in OPP on that--and for violating the parole he got in the iPhone caper.

More iPhone thefts than ever: The theft of iPhones is a perpetual problem since it's so easy to swap out SIMM cards and appropriate a stolen phone. Here are the iPhone thefts that've gone down in just the last couple of weeks:

Wednesday (10.26.11) 7:25 a.m.: A 17-year-old black school girl waiting for the bus at Canal Street and Elk Place was attacked by a gang of black chicks who took her iPhone and purse. Detectives are working several leads in the case.

Friday (10.28.11) 12:45 a.m.: A 33-year-old white guy standing near Bourbon and Orleans streets had his iPhone snatched from his hand by a black boy, 17 to 18 years old, 5'9" tall, with a thin build, wearing a black shirt and black pants.

Saturday (10.29.11) 11:40 p.m.: A 62-year-old white lady standing near Bourbon and Bienville streets had her iPhone grabbed from her hand by a black boy, 15 years old, with short hair, wearing a gray hoodie.

Sunday (10.30.11) 11:30 p.m.: A 26-year-old white woman standing near Bourbon and St. Peter streets had her iPhone grabbed from her hand by a black dude, 5'10" tall, with a slim build, wearing a white hoodie.

Thursday (11.3.11) 7:21 p.m.: A 29-year-old white woman standing in the 100 block of Bourbon Street, just off Canal Street, had her iPhone snatched by a black boy, 17 to 23 years old, 5'11" tall, with a medium build, wearing a red hoodie and khaki shorts.

Saturday (11.5.11) 3:45 p.m.: A 29-year-old white woman walking in the 400 block of N. Peters Street was accosted by 3 black guys who grabbed her iPhone and fled on foot. Two were described as 5' tall, one wearing a red cap, the other wearing a gray hoodie; no description was given of the 3 perp.

Sunday (11.6.11) 6:43 p.m.: A 26-year-old white woman walking near Carondelet and Common streets encountered 2 black thugs, one of whom grabbed her iPhone from her hand before both fled on foot. He was described as 5'6" tall, with a slim build, brown skid, wearing a green shirt, dark baggie jeans, with short hair; the other was 5'6" tall, with slim build, brown skin, wearing a black shirt and dark jeans.

Wednesday (11.9.11) 2:15 a.m.: A 33-year-old white man walking near Iberville and Royal streets was accosted by 2 black punks who shoved an unknown object against his back, implying it was a gun, and made off with his iPhone. He was unable to describe either robber.

Wednesday (11.9.11) 4:45 p.m.: A 50-year-old white lady walking near Canal and Magazine streets was struck by a black thug who tried to take her iPhone and purse. She screamed and he fled on foot. He is described as 20 to 25 years old, 5'9" to 5'11" tall, with medium-length dreadlocks.

Friday (11.11.11) 6:05 p.m.: A 54-year-old white man standing near Royal and St. Louis streets had his iPhone grabbed from his hand by a black thief who fled on foot on St. Louis toward Bourbon Street. He was wearing a white sweatshirt and tan pants.

Not a single one of these iPhone bandits have been caught yet. Let's hope Judge Derbigny's indifference to this thievery hasn't discouraged the police and encouraged the crooks.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

Halloween...ho-hum

2011-11-11T17:21:00.024-06:00

Trick or treat--you decide: What's surprising about last week's Halloween is that everyone acts like it was something out of the ordinary. On the contrary, it was much like Halloween last year when 2 men were killed in the French Quarter and another shot in the head.

In the most notable case that weekend last year was the stabbing death of a Marine sergeant while escorting his wife in the Quarter. A suspect and his girlfriend were finally apprehended in December.

What may have caught the public's attention this year were the number of bystanders hit by stray bullets as gunmen in 2 incidents sprayed the streets with gunfire in going after their intended targets. Bullets flying all around takes the fun out of being there.

Bourbon and St. Louis streets, 11.1.11, 12:13 a.m.: After a gunman opened fire on a crowd in front of Chris Owens Club, police at first thought it was a shoot-out between 2 men with checkered pasts.

Turns out, Albert Glover, 25, wasn't packing heat this night, though he had a long rap sheet and was under indictment for pushing heroin. He was shot dead and 7 other people who got in the way--4 men and 3 women in their early 20s--received superficial wounds.

Three days later (11.4.11), cops nabbed Marvin Carter, 19, and charged him with murder. Police Chief Ronal Serpas labeled both the shooter and the victim as possible career criminals.

Carter's record shows 6 felony and 6 misdemeanor arrests, including illegally carrying weapons, carjacking, trespass, and bringing contraband into jail.

Glover's record shows 5 felony and 17 misdemeanor arrests, including possession of heroin, marijuana and oxycodone, resisting an officer, and filing false public records.

Canal Street at University Place, 11.1.11, 1:45 a.m.: Cops wasted no time in taking down Baltiman Malcolm, 24, after he allegedly opened fire with a Glock with an extended magazine, spraying 32 rounds into the crowd.

Dead in the aftermath was Joshua Lewis, 19; wounded were a 19-year-old boy and two 18-year-old girls. Lewis' offense? Bumping into Malcolm, which Malcolm took as license to gun him down with his latest illegal weapon.

When police saw 3 men running from the scene, they managed to collar Malcolm and one of his buddies while the third escaped. The second suspect was released while Malcolm was charged with one count of first-degree murder and 3 counts of attempted murder.

Why?: After the spree of Halloween homicides and scary shootings, Mayor Mitch Landrieu and Super Chief Ronal Serpas were asking "Why?"

Mayor Mitch called it the result of a "culture of violence", what he sees as guns trumping fists. His criminal justice honcho, James Carter, touted other such sociological remedies.

Chief Serpas says the NOPD is doing "all" it can do (where have you heard that before?), and that 100 cops were in "spitting" distance (in the words of the TP) of the Bourbon Street shootout. (I don't know about you, but I can only hock one about 6 feet with a stiff back wind. In the video of the crowd fleeing the shooting scene that was shown over and over again on TV showed no cops. I guess the chief's spitting distance if far greater than mine.)

The problem is, New Orleans can't wait for the next generation to outgrow the "culture of violence" (if that miracle should ever occur) to cure the crime problem. The problem is right NOW and no number of officers on the streets seems to be deterrent--police are continually perplexed by the number of miscreants willing to do their dirty deeds with cops only a few feet away.

So what's the solution?

Obviously, the proliferation of guns makes shootings easier. Oddly, the guns are more often used on a shooter's rival than on a robbery victim. And, more often than not, it seems, the gun is in the hand of a convicted felon who has no right to possess it.

(The NOPD's 1st District, right across N. Rampart Street from the French Quarter's 8th District, has been almost legendary in hauling in felons in possession. The entire NOPD could take lessons from Cmdr. Robert Norton's troops.)

Ironically, in New Orleans this week was William Bratton, former police chief of New York and Los Angeles--the father of the "broken window" tactic of policing that says if you take care of the small problems it will help solve the big ones.

This bucks the current trend in New Orleans to let the little crimes slide and concentrate on the big ones. That seems to mean that dog poop will accumulate on the sidewalks, graffiti on signs, glass bottles on the streets (which often wind up as weapons), all the while allowing cops to go after the really bad guys. Maybe.

But I contend this indifference to the small stuff (and patrolling in cars with the windows rolled up and the officer on his cellphone to his girlfriend) breeds a lack of respect for the NOPD--reinforcing the old adage that "NOPD" stands for "Not Our Problem Dude."

Add to this the repeated effort to eradicate irresponsible cops from the force, and you can see criminals don't fear the NOPD--and feel free to operate with impunity on our streets.

Family rats him out: In great detective work that followed lax police work after a Slidell optometrist was murdered and robbed in the French Quarter, cops identified a Dillard student as the likely culprit. Then the suspect's family ratted him out and led police to 19-year-old Bobby J. Troy Jr.

U.S. Marshals arrested Troy in Missouri shortly after midnight Thursday morning (11.10.11) on a charge of 2nd-degree murder. He is awaiting extradition to New Orleans.

Police say Troy has been arrested in the past for battery and disturbing the peace, as well as criminal damage to property, and that he has also been picked up for curfew violations and as a runaway on 2 occasions.

Troy is accused of striking 37-year-old Brent Hachfeld on the back of the head and robbing him at Dauphine and Dumaine streets on 10.16.11. Hachfeld was hauled by ambulance to the hospital where he died a short time later.

Homicide detectives were able to obtain video surveillance tape from around the crime scene and to match Troy's DNA from a previous domestic abuse arrest in March with evidence at the crime scene.

Then, acting on a tip, they sifted through hours of surveillance footage obtained from the Greyhound Bus station on Loyola Avenue and recognized Troy at the ticket counter and boarding a bus to Missouri. Arriving too late at the bus station to apprehend Troy, the police distributed pictures of him to local authorities there.

(The NOPD's highly-paid flak, Remi Braden, distributed copies of the surveillance video from Dauphine Street to "all local media" but didn't bother to show it to the public. Those TV stations might show it once or twice, but otherwise the public has no access to it, like on YouTube. More effort on the part of the NOPD's "Public" Affairs Division might have kept this murder suspect from slipping from local homicide detectives' grasp.)

On the ball: Sometimes it takes a while, but 8th District Det. John Ball always seems to get his man. This time the suspect was already in OPP after being arrested on another charge when Ball linked him to the shooting of 2 men last July in the 100 block of Bourbon Street.

Det. Ball booked Kendell Frank, 22, who had eluded police since the 7.8.11 shooting in front of the Krystal burger joint, and charged him on 2 counts of attempted 1st-degree murder on 11.4.11. When Ball found Frank had been booked into OPP, he put together a photo line-up to show a witness and got a positive ID of Frank as the shooter in the July incident.

According to police, Frank has a long criminal history, including illegal use of a firearm, aggravated battery, various other battery charges. He is being held on $700,000 bond.

On 7.13.11, police arrested Frank's accomplice, Michael F. Fulton, 21. He is being held without bond in OPP.

* * *

Crimes in the last 2 weeks in the 8th District

Sunday (10.16.11)

Theft, Canal & N Peters, 6:20 a.m.
Auto Theft, Loyola & Poydras, 11:06 a.m.
Shoplifting, 406 N Peters, 9:51 p.m.
Simple Robbery, 700 Royal, 10:06 p.m.
Aggravated Battery, 100 Bourbon, 11:08 p.m.

Monday (10.17.11)

Auto Theft, 235 S Villere, 4:50 p.m.
Auto Theft, 701 S Rampart, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday (10.18.11)

Theft, 1542 Tulane, 8:47 a.m.
Auto Theft, Decatur & St Louis, 12:10 p.m.
Pickpocketing, Bourbon & St Philip, 4:06 p.m.
Auto Theft, Burgundy & St Ann, 4:40 p.m.

Wednesday (10.19.11)

Auto Theft, 301 St Joseph, 7:48 a.m.
Theft, 8 Canal, 2:43 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 100 Carondelet, 4:03 p.m.
Auto Theft, 200 S Villere, 5:10 p.m.
Shoplifting , 705 Camp, 5:29 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 365 Canal, 5:33 p.m.
Shoplifting , 400 N Peters, 6:33 p.m.

Thursday (10.20.11)

Auto Theft, 435 Esplanade, 5:19 a.m.
Auto Burglary, Baronne & Perdido, 8:35 a.m.
Simple Robbery, Decatur & St Louis, 12:33 p.m.
Theft, 123 Baronne, 1:40 p.m.

Friday (10.21.11)

Theft, 1300 Perdido, 2:45 a.m.
Shoplifting, 800 Canal, 7:08 a.m.
Theft, 800 Common, 9:36 a.m.
Theft, 935 Gravier, 5:28 p.m.
Pickpocketing, Bourbon & Conti, 10:21 p.m.

Saturday (10.22.11)

Theft, 300 Chartres, 12:01 a.m.
Auto Theft, 500 Barracks, 5:04 a.m.
Theft, 301 Camp, 5:42 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 935 Barracks, 11:22 a.m.
Theft, Decatur & St Peter, 5:45 p.m.
Theft, 801 Bourbon, 11:49 p.m.

Sunday (10.23.11)

Theft, 516 Bourbon, 12:20 a.m.
Burglary, 1300 Canal, 8:27 a.m.
Bicycle Theft, 1201 Burgundy, 12:42 p.m.
Theft, 500 Canal, 10:18 p.m.

Monday (10.24.11)

Auto Burglary, Baronne & Union, 6:46 a.m.
Theft, Magazine & Poydras, 7:54 a.m.
Auto Theft, 732 Camp, 9:23 a.m.
Theft, 129 Royal, 12:44 p.m.
Shoplifting, 808 Chartres, 5:35 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 600 Baronne, 5:56 p.m.
Auto Theft, Constance & Lafayette, 7:29 p.m.

Tuesday (10.25.11)

Auto Theft, Poydras & Tchoupitoulas, 2:34 a.m.
Theft, 1431 Royal, 3:22 a.m.
Theft, Poydras & Tchoupitoulas, 4:44 a.m.
Bicycle Theft, 1100 Poydras, 1:46 p.m.
Theft, 411 Bourbon, 10:26 p.m.

Wednesday (10.26.11)

Theft, 623 Frenchmen, 12:30 a.m.
Armed Robbery (knife), 500 Dumaine, 12:51 a.m.
Theft, 721 Bourbon, 2:42 a.m.
Shoplifting, 917 Decatur, 12:09 p.m.
Theft, 1500 Poydras, 3:51 p.m.
Theft, 739 Canal, 6:32 p.m.
Theft, 1300 Perdido, 7:04 p.m.
Residence Burglary, 637 St Peter, 8:47 p.m.

Thursday (10.27.11)

Theft, 240 Bourbon, 12:50 a.m.
Simple Robbery, Canal & Elk Pl, 10:32 a.m.
Theft, 1834 Dauphine, 11:14 a.m.
Theft, 300 Bourbon, 11:25 a.m.
Shoplifting, 1000 Canal, 1:06 p.m.
Simple Robbery Attempt, Decatur & Ursuline, 6:57 p.m.
Pursesnatching, 900 Dumaine, 7:03 p.m.

Friday (10.28.11)

Simple Robbery, Bourbon & Orleans, 1:05 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 300 S Rampart, 3:19 a.m.
Theft, 801 Chartres, 7:27 a.m.
Business Burglary, 800 Common, 7:39 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 500 Wilkinson, 4:45 p.m.

Saturday (10.29.11)

Simple Robbery, 500 Iberville, 2:13 a.m.
Theft, 1412 Royal, 11:23 a.m.
Theft, 201 Baronne, 1:59 p.m.
Auto Theft, 1212 Royal, 3:12 p.m.
Aggravated Assault, 800 Conti, 9:33 p.m.
Burglary, 300 Bourbon, 10:13 p.m.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

Good, bad, and ugly

2011-10-22T17:30:00.022-05:00

BAD: Sloppy police work: Super Chief Ronal Serpas is death on lying by cops, but maybe he ought to turn his aim toward sloppy investigations by his NOPD officers. Consider the latest homicide in the French Quarter:

A passerby calls 911 to report a man lying unconscious in a pool of blood on the sidewalk at Dauphine and Dumaine streets about 4:30 a.m. Sunday (10.16.11). 8th District cops were called to a "medical situation" and wrote it off as another drunk who'd fallen down--never considering whether the guy might have been assaulted and robbed, seeing as how he had no ID on him, no watch, no wallet, no cellphone.

EMS techs found the victim was bleeding from the back of his head and had lacerations on his face. They detected he had only a faint heartbeat and weak pulse, and administered CPR before hauling him to Tulane University Hospital. The victim died at the hospital later; initial information from the coroner's office indicated the death was a homicide.

Police never identified the victim until his family filed a missing-person report later Sunday. He was Dr. Brent Hachfeld (pictured), 37, an optometrist from Slidell. Apparently he had attended a bachelor party at Rick's Cabaret, 315 Bourbon St., and for some reason had wandered 7 blocks to where he was found.

Now the cops have a mystery on their hands. Homicide detectives are checking for video surveillance cameras that might have recorded the crime on that route. They report that the security cameras are Rick's were not operating.

(Ironically, the owner of Rick's was one of the bigwigs who wanted to soak the residents of the Quarter a year ago for $1 million a year to form a "security district" to make the neighborhood safer. Maybe he ought to fork out a few bucks to fix his own security system.)

There's no reason at the present time to think the crime occurred anywhere near Rick's, particularly since the first flatfoots on the scene were quick to dismiss the case as a fallen drunk, rather than look for a trail of blood. Their lack of the suspicions you expect police officers to have didn't alert detectives who might had a chance to interview the victim before he died. The crime has yet to appear on the chief's vaunted crime map.

And what about police patrols? It's been a long time since I've seen cops patrolling Bourbon. In fact, during a couple of trips I took down the length of the street in the middle of the day I didn't seek a single cop or cop car. I did see a drunk passed out next to the shoe store on the corner of Canal Street around 3:30 p.m. a couple off weeks ago, but not a single cop.

Time to start kicking some butt, Chief.

GOOD: On the other hand...: As inept as the aforementioned homicide investigation might be, you can only be repeatedly amazed at how adept Det. Sgt. Nick Gernon and his squad of 8th District detectives are in finding suspects based on vague descriptions by victims. Case in point:

After a spree of armed robberies in the CBD last week, Sgt. Gernon and his team, including Det. Tindell Murdock and Det. Travis Ward, developed a suspect: Adkeem Johnson, 22.

Officers from the NOPD's Special Operations Division and the U.S. Marshals Service on Monday (10.17.11) swarmed a house in the 4800 block of Toulon Street in New Orleans East and took Johnson into custody without incident. The revolver used in the CBD robberies was recovered at a residence at 2828 St. Andrew St. in Central City where Johnson reportedly stayed.

He was booked on 4 counts of armed robbery and is being held on $400,000 bond in OPP.

The robberies Johnson is accused of include:

Tuesday (10.11.11) 11:40 p.m. at Gravier Street and O'Keefe Avenue where a black robber took a 26-year-old white man's iPhone and a pack of cigarettes.

Thursday (10.13.11) 11:00 p.m. in the 200 block of Baronne Street where 2 white men, one 43, the other 28, were robbed of their wallets and cellphones.

Saturday (10.15.11) 9:30 p.m. at Lafayette Street and O'Keefe Avenue a 29-year-old white man was robbed of his wallet and cellphone.

Police report that in the past Johnson was arrested 3 times for resisting or obstructing an officer, disturbing the peace, battery, lewd conduct, possession of stolen things, and theft.

Johnson was one of a 6-pack of punks, ranging in age from 17 to 22, who were arrested in November, 2008 after savagely beating an older man walking from Burgundy Street to Matasa's Market at St. Philip and Dauphine streets.

Though they were after money, they were charged on a municipal charge of battery because they didn't actually demand money or go into the victim's pockets after it.

What verdict or punishment came out of that is shrouded in Municipal Court's lack of online documentation.

UGLY: Rape, yes and no: For too many years, the NOPD treated rape cases as too much bother. Consequently, rape kits used to gather evidence to identify DNA and other clues went unprocessed. Now Cmdr. Paul Noel, head of the criminal investigations division, is on the verge of processing the last of hundreds of kits by 2012. Already his diligence has produced DNA matches which have resulted in arrests and warrants.

But still, the NOPD is ambivalent on how it provides information to the public on rapes--140 of them since the first of May in New Orleans. Rarely is a report issued on rapes; when they do pop up on the NOPD's crime map there's only a notation of where it happened. No info on whether it was a domestic dispute, no report on the circumstances, no identification of the perpetrator, no ages of the victims.

In other words, you have no idea of whether a rapist is running loose in your neighborhood or it was just your neighbors having a tiff. For instance:

On 10.2.11 a police report said a black male followed a female into the restroom of an "unknown" bar at Bourbon and Conti streets just after 8 a.m. and assaulted her.

That lack of information kind of paints all the bars at that intersection with the same brush; should you be weary of The Famous Door? Or the Royal Sonesta? Or one of the two daiquiri bars on the other corners? What did the perp look like?

Wouldn't you like to know which bar so you could be a little more alert there? And wouldn't you like to know what the perp looked like?

On that same day, another rape occurred near Elysian Fields Avenue and N. Galvez Street. A couple of weeks later, a NOPD sex crimes detective had out a wanted poster with a thorough description of the perpetrator and a description of his vehicle.

So why not for the French Quarter rapist? Do we have a serial rapist running loose in the neighborhood?

C'mon, Paul. Let us know when and where rapes are occurring--and give us descriptions of the perps.

Why they call them clubs: Most violence in the Quarter is among friends who get into a tiff for one reason or other, and then one of them breaks off a beer bottle and cuts the other (I thought glass bottles were illegal on the streets of the Quarter?) But 2 clubs have had more than their share of assault and battery:

300 Decatur St.: This club has had about as many name changes as it's had cuttings/shootings/fights over the years.

Now known as Club Viola, a bouncer was shot there a couple of weeks ago on a Sunday morning (10.9.11) around 2:42 a.m. The bouncer apparently got into an argument with a patron in the bar and 86'd him. When the 41-year-old bouncer stepped outside, another patron fired off several rounds, striking him in the chest.

The shooter fled in a red sedan. He was described as a black dude, 5'9" tall, weighing 155 to 165 pounds, wearing a light blue buttoned-down shirt.

500 Bourbon St.: Chris Owens Club has had more than its share of conflicts among its patrons, perhaps stirred by the energetic entertainer's fierce Latin rhythms.

Last Saturday (10.15.11) two Hispanic men got into it around 1:30 a.m. The argument ended when one of the men broke off a beer bottle and cut the throat of the 23-year-old victim.

No description of the assailant was given except that he was a Hispanic male.

Robbing in the 'hood: More of the same...pursesnatchings, phonesnatchings, etc:

Saturday (9.24.11) 10:47 p.m.: A 56-year-old white lady was standing in the 500 block of Barracks Street near Decatur Street when a black punk on a bicycle swooped down and pulled her purse from her grasp.

He was described as about 19 years old, 5'10" tall, wearing a light-colored shirt and dark hat.

Monday (9.26.11) 10:00 a.m.: A 22-year-old Hispanic man was walking near O'Keefe Avenue and Perdido Street when he was held up by a black thug wielding a handgun and demanding his wallet and cellphone. The robber fled on foot through a parking lot to S. Rampart Street.

He was described as 25 years old, 6' tall, with a thin build and short hair, wearing a dark green shirt and blue jeans.

Wednesday (9.28.11) 2:00 a.m.: A 65-year-old white man was walking in the 700 block of St. Philip Street by the Little Red Schoolhouse when he was jumped from behind, knocked to the ground, and had his wallet stolen.

He didn't bother to report the crime until the next day and then couldn't give a description of his attacker. Maybe old people who are so oblivious ought to stay home late at night.

Thursday (9.29.11) 3:50 a.m.: A 24-year-old white woman standing in the 500 block of Royal Street (between St. Louis and Toulouse streets) was jumped by 2 black thugs who grabbed her purse and fled in different directions.

Both were described as in their early 20's, one 5'10" tall, heavyset, wearing a white T-shirt, and the other 5'7", wearing a blue and white plaid shirt.

Monday (10.3.11) 3:05 a.m.: A 21-year-old was walking in the 700 block of Conti Street (between Bourbon and Royal streets) when a robber took money from her shirt and fled on foot.

Police apprehended Jammy Felton, 22, and charged him with simple robbery. He is being held in OPP on $15,000 bond.

Monday (10.3.11) 8:36 p.m.: Two black boys entered the New Orleans Computer Repair shop, 1900 St. Claude Ave. One pulled a handgun and demanded money, which they got before fleeing on foot.

It wasn't long before police nabbed Demond Sandifer, 16; Raymond Williams (pictured), 17, was arrested the next day. Both were charged with armed robbery. Williams is being held in OPP on $100,000 bond; Sandifer is being coddled by Juvenile Court and we won't know what happens to him--until he turns pro when he turns 17.

Thursday (10.6.11) 9:48 a.m.: A 37-year-old white man was in his car at Burgundy and Pauger streets when an masked black dude with a gun ordered him to get out and on the ground. The robber took his wallet and money, then jumped into his vehicle and fled.

Wouldn't it be nice if the cops would give the public a carjacked vehicle's make, model and license number so citizens would be on the lookout for it?

Sunday (10.9.11) 5:50 a.m.: A 33-year-old white woman walking on Julia Street near Commerce Street when she was accosted by 2 black thugs who grabbed her purse before fleeing in a silver-colored "vehicle" (sedan? pickup? SUV? Don't you cops pay attention to details?).

The robbers were described as in their mid-20's, one 5'11" tall, weighing 160 to 170 pounds, wearing a white tank top and medium-colored blue jeans; the other 5'9" tall, wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

Tuesday (10.11.11) 2:36 a.m.: A robber posing as a customer entered Tango's Bar & Grill at Bienville and Burgundy streets sat at the bar and ordered a beer. After being served, he pulled a handgun from his waistband, racked the slide, and demanded the bartender fill a plastic bag with cash from the register. Then he demanded the wallet of the patron sitting next to him before fleeing on foot.

The robber was described as a black man, in his late 20's to early 30's, 5'6" to 5'8" tall, weighing about 160 pounds, wearing a cap, short-sleeved light-colored button-up shirt and light-colored pants. The robbery was caught on the bar's surveillance video.

Friday (10.14.11) 12:00 midnight: A 21-year-old white woman walking in the 300 block of St. Charles Avenue, just off Canal Street, was knocked to the ground by a black guy who took her wallet. Several bystanders ran after the robber.

Officers arriving on the scene apprehended Kenneth Bradford, 48, who was charged with simple robbery and locked up on $20,000 bond.

Sunday (10.16.11) 10:00 p.m.: A 29-year-old white chick, oblivious to her surroundings, had her cellphone snatched from her hand by a black punk as she was walking and talking in the 700 block of Royal Street (behind St. Louis Cathedral).

The robber and his accomplice were both riding black BMX-type bicycles. Both were 18 to 23 years old, one had very short hair and dark complexion, wearing a baggy black T-shirt; the other was described as having a medium complexion, wearing a dark-colored shirt.

Thursday (10.20.11) 12:50 a.m.: A white couple, he 43, she 39, were on Decatur Street near St. Louis Street when 2 "shoeshine" men came up and squirted some sort of liquid on their shoes and demanded payment for the "shine". The man fell intimidated and took out some money, which the suspects grabbed from his hand, then demanded more before fleeing on foot.

Police caught up with the greedy duo and charged Junius Jones (top), 45, and Bryant Brown (bottom), 43. Brown was charged with 2 counts of simple robbery and one of aggravated battery; he is being held on $65,000 bond. Jones was charged with one count of simple robbery and is being held on $25,000 bond.

* * *

Crimes in the past month in the 8th District

Sunday (9.18.11)

Auto Burglary, 600 Elysian Fields, 1:38 a.m.
Pickpocketing, 544 Bourbon, 2:42 a.m.
Armed Robbery, N Rampart & St Ann, 5:57 a.m.
Theft, 2 Poydras, 8:24 a.m.
Theft, 300 Decatur, 11:17 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 501 Convention Center, 5:24 p.m.
Theft, 315 Julia, 6:48 p.m.
Residence Burglary, 2000 block Dauphine, 6:52 p.m.
Pursesnatching, Magazine & Poydras, 11:28 p.m.

Monday (9.19.11)

Theft, 700 St Peter, 11:43 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 1500 Poydras, 12:55 p.m.
Shoplifting, 134 Royal, 4:15 p.m.
Shoplifting, 333 Chartres, 5:38 p.m.
Theft, 717 Orleans, 8:20 p.m.
Theft, Lafayette & Tchoupitoulas, 8:44 p.m.
Theft, 711 Bourbon, 11:18 p.m.

Tuesday (9.20.11)

Auto Burglary, 700 Bienville, 4:27 a.m.
Theft, 201 Baronne, 11:21 a.m.
Auto Theft, Girod & Loyola, 3:50 p.m.
Auto Theft, 1550 Canal, 6:18 p.m.

Wednesday (9.21.11)

Auto Theft/Recovery, 334 Royal, 1:15 a.m.
Theft, Barracks & Dauphine, 9:11 a.m.
Shoplifting, 706 Bourbon, 8:14 p.m.
Auto Theft, Magazine & Notre Dame, 11:10 p.m.

Thursday (9.22.11)

Bicycle Theft, 100 Royal, 12:22 a.m.
Business Burglary, 1130 N Rampart, 10:33 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 701 S Rampart, 4:31 p.m.
Auto Theft, 701 S Rampart, 6:09 p.m.

Friday (9.23.11)

Theft, 2 Poydras, 7:11 a.m.
Auto Theft, Camp & St Joseph, 10:46 a.m.
Auto Theft, 301 Dauphine, 12:03 p.m.
Theft, 830 Conti, 12:46 p.m.
Theft, 219 Loyola, 2:52 p.m.

Saturday (9.24.11)

Theft, 511 Bourbon, 12:12 a.m.
Aggravated Battery (cutting), Common & St Charles, 2:47 a.m.
Residence Burglary, Royal & Touro, 6:42 a.m.
Theft, 511 Bourbon, 6:56 a.m.
Business Burglary, 520 Esplanade, 9:06 a.m.
Theft, 555 Canal, 11:14 a.m.
Theft, 522 Bourbon, 11:17 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 1200 Bourbon, 1:29 p.m.
Theft, 334 Royal, 6:46 p.m.
Bicycle Theft, 800 Conti, 7:40 p.m.
Pursesnatching, 500 Barracks, 10:47 p.m.

Sunday (9.25.11)

Pickpocketing, 511 Bourbon, 3:27 a.m.
Auto Theft, Bienville & Bourbon, 11:59 a.m.
Pickpocketing, 833 Esplanade, 1:01 p.m.
Theft, 1500 Poydras, 1:55 p.m.
Theft, 1500 Poydras, 2:27 p.m.
Attempted Theft, 1500 Poydras, 3:51 p.m.
Theft, 618 Frenchmen, 4:42 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 1450 Poydras, 6:57 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 200 Burgundy, 11:30 p.m.

Monday (9.26.11)

Auto Theft, Decatur & Esplanade, 11:48 a.m.
Bicycle Theft, 930 Tchoupitoulas, 1:25 p.m.
Business Burglary, 1400 Port Of New Orleans, 3:06 p.m.
Auto Theft, 1000 Toulouse, 3:14 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 700 Conti, 3:15 p.m.
Auto Burglary, Canal & S Claiborne, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday (9.27.11)

Shoplifting, 900 Canal, 11:18 a.m.
Theft, 365 Canal, 1:10 p.m.
Shoplifting, 129 Royal, 1:30 p.m.
Shoplifting, 306 Chartres, 2:19 p.m.

Wednesday (9.28.11)

Theft, 830 Conti, 12:52 a.m.
Theft, 336 Camp, 12:56 p.m.

Thursday (9.29.11)

Pursesnatching, 500 Royal, 3:54 a.m.
Pickpocketing, 100 Royal, 4:24 a.m.
Shoplifting, 134 Royal, 10:40 a.m.
Theft, 311 Bourbon, 1:08 p.m.
Shoplifting, 601 Royal, 1:23 p.m.
Shoplifting, 700 Royal, 2:06 p.m.
Simple Robbery, 700 St Philip, 3:39 p.m.
Theft, 1500 SugarBowl, 4:45 p.m.
Theft, Canal & S Peters, 7:39 p.m.

Friday (9.30.11)

Shoplifting, 31 French Market, 10:54 a.m.
Shoplifting, 400 N Peters, 4:39 p.m.
Shoplifting, 333 Canal, 5:50 p.m.
Armed Robbery, O'Keefe & Perdido, 6:28 p.m.
Theft, 625 St Ann, 7:10 p.m.
Theft, 200 Bourbon, 8:51 p.m.

Saturday (10.1.11)

Theft, 606 Frenchmen, 1:14 a.m.
Pickpocketing, 333 Bourbon, 1:23 a.m.
Theft, 813 Bienville, 3:29 p.m.
Theft, 739 Canal, 7:53 p.m.

Sunday (10.2.11)

Auto Burglary, Poydras & Tchoupitoulas, 3:30 a.m.
Aggravated Battery, 921 Canal, 6:33 a.m.
Rape, Bourbon & Conti, 8:08 a.m.
Shoplifting, 405 Bourbon, 1:10 p.m.
Shoplifting, 823 Canal, 3:27 p.m.
Auto Theft, 600 Constance, 7:17 p.m.
Shoplifting, 917 Decatur, 7:53 p.m.
Theft, 226 Bourbon, 10:47 p.m.

Monday (10.3.11)

Simple Robbery, 700 Conti, 3:05 a.m.
Pickpocketing, 8 Canal, 5:21 a.m.
Business Burglary, 631 St Peter, 6:46 a.m.
Theft, 344 Camp, 7:42 a.m.
Theft, 315 Magazine, 8:06 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 700 S Peters, 10:03 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 755 Magazine, 10:36 a.m.
Theft, 1400 Chartres, 3:16 p.m.
Bicycle Theft, 127 Royal, 6:21 p.m.
Auto Theft, 618 Magazine, 8:11 p.m.
Armed Robbery, 700 Orleans, 8:36 p.m.

Tuesday (10.4.11)

Pickpocketing, 811 Iberville, 5:17 a.m.
Auto Theft, Conti & N Rampart, 8:13 a.m.
Business Burglary, 409 Bourbon, 9:18 a.m.
Auto Theft, Elysian Fields & N Peters, 10:45 a.m.
Shoplifting, 307 Chartres, 12:22 p.m.
Theft, 833 Poydras, 5:16 p.m.
Theft, 135 Decatur, 7:26 p.m.

Wednesday (10.5.11)

Theft, 1040 Elysian Fields Ave, 3:58 a.m.

Thursday (10.6.11)

Bicycle Theft, 400 Toulouse, 2:50 a.m.
Armed Robbery, Burgundy & Pauger, 9:48 a.m.
Shoplifting, 601 Royal, 2:04 p.m.
Auto Theft, 400 Notre Dame, 6:46 p.m.
Theft, 840 Tchoupitoulas, 11:08 p.m.

Friday (10.7.11)

Auto Burglary, 501 Tchoupitoulas, 7:16 a.m.
Theft, 850 Convention Center, 7:22 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 1000 Conti, 8:42 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 732 Burgundy, 10:01 a.m.
Shoplifting, 1018 Canal, 6:31 p.m.
Auto Theft, Conti & Dauphine, 9:21 p.m.

Saturday (10.8.11)

Auto Burglary, 100 S Rampart, 5:00 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 1100 Port Of New Orleans, 9:08 a.m.
Theft, 711 Bourbon, 5:47 p.m.
Pickpocketing, 200 Bourbon, 10:48 p.m.
Shoplifting , 729 Canal, 11:32 p.m.

Sunday (10.9.11)

Aggravated Battery (shooting), 300 Decatur, 2:42 a.m.
Pursesnatching, 300 Julia, 5:44 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 400 Burgundy, 6:46 a.m.
Auto Burglary, Andrew Higgins & St Charles, 8:27 a.m.
Theft, 600 Bourbon, 11:13 a.m.
Theft, 424 Bourbon, 1:50 p.m.
Simple Robbery, S Saratoga & Tulane, 5:53 p.m.
Theft, 939 1/2 Orleans, 6:11 p.m.
Shoplifting, 609 Chartres, 6:42 p.m.
Theft, 1000 Annunciation, 9:56 p.m.
Theft, 718 St Peter, 10:20 p.m.

Monday (10.10.11)

Auto Burglary, 200 Chartres, 3:27 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 501 Convention Center Blvd, 3:25 a.m.
Theft, 241 Bourbon, 4:17 a.m.
Theft, 907 S Peters, 8:21 p.m.

Tuesday (10.11.11)

Armed Robbery, 1000 Bienville, 2:32 a.m.
Theft, 500 St Charles, 2:48 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 1800 N Rampart, 6:17 p.m.
Auto Theft, 500 O'Keefe, 7:57 p.m.
Armed Robbery, Gravier & O'Keefe, 11:44 p.m.

Wednesday (10.12.11)

Auto Burglary, 600 St Joseph, 5:02 a.m.
Business Burglary, 747 St Charles, 5:19 a.m.
Auto Theft, 201 St Charles, 7:21 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 615 Baronne, 8:22 a.m.
Shoplifting, 129 Royal, 10:23 p.m.

Thursday (10.13.11)

Auto Burglary, Burgundy & Iberville, 7:05 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 1600 Perdido, 10:40 a.m.
Residence Burglary, 1113 Chartres, 7:24 p.m.
Aggravated Battery (domestic), Canal & Carondelet, 10:07 p.m.
Armed Robbery, 200 Baronne, 11:05 p.m.

Friday (10.14.11)

Simple Robbery, 300 St Charles, 12:05 a.m.
Auto Theft, Conti & N Rampart, 10:16 a.m.
Theft, 1000 Kerlerec, 1:41 p.m.

Saturday (10.15.11)

Aggravated Battery (cutting), 500 Bourbon, 1:34 a.m.
Theft, 1001 Toulouse, 7:13 a.m.
Theft, 700 Canal, 9:40 a.m.
Theft, 300 Decatur, 10:09 a.m.
Theft, 121 Chartres, 2:18 p.m.
Armed Robbery, Lafayette & O'Keefe, 9:30 p.m.
Theft, 730 Bienville S, 10:18 p.m.
Theft, 609 Bourbon, 10:33 p.m.
Theft, 800 Canal, 11:17 p.m.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

There you go again!

2011-09-24T17:35:00.004-05:00

Murder vs. Crime rate: While robbers were invading residents' homes right and left and thugs were holding up tourists in the French Quarter, Mayor Mitch Landrieu was holding a "crime summit."

But what he was concerned about was not those crimes which affect you and me, he was worried about the murder rate--the problem, for the most part, of young black boys killing other black boys.

He repeats an age-old gaffe: mistaking the murder rate for the crime rate. Murder, of course, is a crime. But unless you're a young black male, your chances of getting killed in this city are probably no greater than in any other city.

But it is the negative publicity about the number of homicides in New Orleans that puts Mayor Mitch on edge--because it may affect tourism.

Mitch, how about worrying about those of us who live here, that we can safely sit in our homes and not have a robber barge in, that we can walk down Bourbon Street without getting clobbered or robbed.

Those are the things we call crime and should be listed in the "crime rate" that affects us all.

Here's what we call crime: While Mayor Mitch was assailing murder last week, here's what assailants were doing to us:

Thursday (9.15.11) 7:55 p.m.: A 32-year-old white man walking on St. Ann Street near Bourbon Street was accosted by 3 black thugs who forced him to give up his cellphone.

The victim, for whatever reason, was unable to give police a detailed description of the robbers.

Friday (9.16.11) 2:30 a.m.: A 34-year-old black woman walking on S. Peters Street near Canal Street was set upon by 6 black chicks who emerged from a white compact car and began pummeling her with their shoes. They took the victim's purse and got back in the car and sped off.

The victim described 2 of her assailants as 25 years old, both 5'7" tall, one weighing 220 pounds with short hair, the other 265 pounds; the third was in her early 20's, 5'4" tall, weighing 115 pounds with long black hair; the other 3 were nondescript.

And all of them in a compact car?

Friday (9.16.11) 10:45 p.m.: A 31-year-old white woman walking on Bourbon Street near St. Louis Street had her purse snatched by a black hoodlum who pulled it from her grasp.

He was described as 20 to 30 years old, 5'7" tall, with a slim build, wearing a black T-shirt and black pants.

Sunday (9.18.11) 5:57 a.m.: Two Hispanic women, one 41 years old, who were walking to their car on St. Ann Street near N. Rampart Street were held up by a gun-wielding black punk who stuck the gun in one of the women's back and relieved one of her cellphone and the other of her purse.

The one who lost her purse refused to give the police any information, including her age, before returning to Metairie, fearing she might be deported.

The other victim, who lost her cellphone, described the robber as 30 years old, 5'11" tall, with a slim build, wearing a white dress shirt.

Sunday (9.18.11) 11:28 p.m.: A 27-year-old white woman walking near Magazine and Poydras streets had her purse pulled from her grasp by a black dude who tried to get away down Poydras on foot.

Police caught Drexler Johnson, 23, and charged him with pursesnatching. He is being held in OPP on $20,000 bond and for the U.S. Marshals who want him for prison escape.

If Mayor Mitch really wants to fight crime, he ought to find a way to get 8th District Det. Willie Jenkins some help. Det. Jenkins was the lead detective on ALL of the above cases. If you have any information that could help this overworked detective solve any of the cases, email him at wjenkins@nola.gov.

Let sleeping dogs lie: One bum hanging out in Cabrini Dog Park apparently forgot that adage when he tried to rob another bum there last Wednesday (9.21.11) shortly after 9 a.m. and got carved up pretty badly.

When police arrived at 917 Barracks St., across from the park at Barracks and Dauphine streets, they found Chisesi Simpson, a 47-year-old black convicted felon, sitting on the steps, bleeding profusely. They also found a black bag with 2 cellphones in it and other items.

Simpson was hauled to the hospital and detectives went over to the park to try to figure out what happened. A neighbor told the detective bums gathered in the park to charge their cellphones from an extension cord that dangled from the ceiling of the open-air shelter at the park's entrance on Dauphine.

There they found a drunken white fella, Armond Enfinger, 59, sleeping under the shelter and woke him up. Though he had specs of blood on him, he told police he didn't know how they got there. He did tell detectives, though, that he and his black buddy had been sitting near another white guy, later identified as Jasper Harden, 39, and when Simpson saw Harden's cellphone, he told Enfinger, "I'm gonna take everything he got."

Harden told cops he stopped at the park because he was too drunk to ride his bicycle anymore and wanted to charge his cellphone. While his cellphone was charging he fell asleep, only to awake to find Simpson digging through his pants pockets. When he asked Simpson what was going on, Simpson replied, "I ain't doing nothing."

Fearing for his safety, Harden pulled a knife from his pocket and began backing away. That's when Simpson lunged at him from 3 or 4 feet away, Harden told police, and he instinctively swung his knife from right to left and cut Simpson on his inner right forearm.

Police deemed Harden, on probation for a domestic abuse conviction this past spring, the victim and not the aggressor, so didn't charge him.

They did determine the phones in the black bag they found near Simpson on Barracks belonged to Harden. An officer went to the hospital and issued a summons to Simpson for theft, assault, and possession of stolen property.

You would think the police would patrol this neighborhood oasis better if it's a bunkhouse for armed felons. Or if you're going to the dog park, leave little Fifi at home and take your Doberman.

Two's enough: A timely tip to CrimeStoppers resulted in the arrest of Jacob O. Lee (pictured), 30, last Sunday (9.18.11) for the armed robbery of a Bourbon Street cafe and a Frenchmen Street deli.

The tip led cops to a residence in New Orleans East where they found Lee and Keith Holmes, 21. Lee was charged with 2 counts of armed robbery and police said Holmes--who may or may not have been Lee's getaway driver in one of the robberies--was also taken in on a warrant.

Lee is being held on $500,000 bond in OPP and Holmes, curiously, isn't in OPP though he was wanted on a $20,000 capias for failing to pay fines last May following his guilty plea to a charge of illegally carrying a weapon.

Cops don't seem to know what happened to him; according to court records, he's still "at large."

Lee was charged in the armed robbery of the Candy Bar cafe, 908 Bourbon St., on 9.9.11 and the robbery of the Frenchmen Deli & Grocery, 602 Frenchmen St., on 9.12.11.

Bad man at large: An arrest warrant was issued 9.16.11 for the arrest of Melvin Miguel, 23, who is believed to have attempted one armed robbery in the French Quarter and is being investigated in connection with other recent Quarter robberies as well.

Police believe Miguel is the guy who tried to rob a 46-year-old Asian woman of her purse on 9.9.11 while she was walking around 4:40 a.m. in the 600 block of Iberville Street. The suspect attempted to pull the victim’s purse from her grasp, but she resisted. The suspect then produced a handgun and demanded the purse. The victim refused and the suspect fled into the passenger side of a light colored 4-door vehicle which drove on Iberville toward Decatur, then unknown.

Soon after the car took off, a citizen noticed that a driver was acting suspiciously, so he wrote down the license plate of the car and called police with the information.

Through investigation, Det. Michael Flores found that the vehicle was registered to an acquaintance of Miguel’s, and that Miguel was most likely the gunman in the attempted armed robbery.

Flores secured an arrest warrant for Miguel for one count of attempted armed robbery as well as a search warrant for Miguel’s home in the 5000 block of Spain Street. When searching the house, detectives found bullets for a 9MM handgun as well as clothing similar to that described by the victim of the attempted armed robbery.

Miguel is currently on probation for possession of cocaine until 2015. He has additional previous convictions for access card device fraud. He has also been arrested in the past for aggravated battery, aggravated kidnapping and armed robbery with a firearm felon with a firearm, trespassing, attempted simple escape, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, use of a CDS in the presence of a minor.

His possible involvement in other robberies earlier this month in and around the Quarter is still under investigation.

The suspect is described as a black male, 5’08”, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and white pants. If you believe you’ve seen Miguel or if you know where he is, call CrimeStoppers at 822-1111 and cash in on the reward.

Shocking! A bad girl: Cops busted a 14-year-old girl accused of using an stun gun to steal a fellow high-school student's smartphone.

Lenika Vanburen, who threatened another female by turning a stun gun on and off, was charged with simple robbery. (Not armed robbery?)

The robbery happened in the 400 block of Canal Street when Vanburen and a group of other teenagers confronted a high school student who was walking and talking on her smartphone on 8.19.11 around 7:15 p.m.

Cops arrested little Lenika at her home in eastern New Orleans 9.7.11, but "her parents refused to allow police to question her," police reported. (Wouldn't want to traumatize her because of criminal behavior, now would we?)

* * *
Crimes last week in the 8th District

Sunday (9.11.11)

Pickpocketing, 511 Bourbon, 12:06 a.m.
Theft, 725 St Peter, 12:53 a.m.
Simple Robbery, Conti & Dauphine, 1:12 a.m.
Theft, 300 Decatur, 2:15 a.m.
Shoplifting, 632 Canal, 12:31 p.m.
Auto Theft, Decatur & St Louis, 2:52 p.m.
Shoplifting, 732 Canal, 3:41 p.m.
Shoplifting, 632 St Peter, 3:59 p.m.
Shoplifting, 400 N Peters, 5:18 p.m.
Auto Theft, 334 Royal, 5:20 p.m.

Monday (9.12.11)

Theft, 600 Bourbon, 4:17 a.m.
Armed Robbery, 900 Barracks, 4:54 a.m.
Armed Robbery, 840 N Rampart, 7:57 a.m.
Theft, 1500 Sugar Bowl, 10:22 a.m.
Shoplifting, 900 Canal, 10:45 a.m.
Aggravated Battery, 411 Bourbon, 12:11 p.m.
Theft, 1841 N Rampart, 5:48 p.m.
Theft, 421 Loyola, 6:36 p.m.
Bicycle Theft, Baronne & Gravier, 8:27 p.m.
Armed Robbery, 602 Frenchmen, 8:46 p.m.

Tuesday (9.13.11)

Pickpocketing, 1943 N Rampart, 11:31 p.m.

Wednesday (9.14.11)

Theft, 123 University, 1:04 a.m.
Auto Theft, 900 Ursulines, 3:37 a.m.
Bicycle Theft, 1024 Elysian Fields, 12:19 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 421 Frenchmen, 1:26 p.m.
Theft, 920 N Rampart, 4:00 p.m.

Thursday (9.15.11)

Auto Burglary, 500 St Philip, 12:56 a.m.
Theft, 927 Julia, 12:11 p.m.
Shoplifting, 134 Royal, 3:33 p.m.
Theft, 1440 Canal, 4:22 p.m.
Auto Theft, 1000 Kerlerec, 7:09 p.m.
Simple Robbery, 800 St Ann, 7:59 p.m.
Auto Theft, 1000 Kerlerec, 9:40 p.m.

Friday (9.16.11)

Auto Burglary, 100 S Rampart, 1:24 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 400 Camp, 3:39 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 344 Camp, 6:38 a.m.
Theft, 300 Gravier, 8:55 a.m.
Bicycle Theft, 365 Canal, 10:03 a.m.
Shoplifting, 700 Royal, 4:46 p.m.
Armed Robbery, Canal & S Peters, 5:19 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 810 St Joseph, 8:13 p.m.
Pursesnatching, 500 Bourbon, 11:25 p.m.

Saturday (9.17.11)

Pickpocket, 800 Gravier, 1:18 a.m.
Aggravated Battery, Dauphine & St Louis, 3:15 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 200 Baronne, 3:17 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 925 St Louis, 12:49 p.m.
Auto Theft, Conti & Dauphine, 12:48 p.m.
Bicycle Theft, 925 Camp, 2:31 p.m.
Auto Theft, 920 Bourbon, 4:29 p.m.
Bicycle Theft, 400 Julia, 5:06 p.m.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler