Dave Minsky

Hard Rock Hotel New Orleans construction crane collapses, killing one perosn

Hard Rock Hotel collapse. Photo by Kevin Minsky.

A construction crane at the Hard Rock Hotel New Orleans collapsed on Saturday morning, killing at least one person, according to the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

According to WWL-TV, the collapse occurred at 9:12 a.m. At least 18 people are injured and at least two people are missing, the news station reported.

Evacuation crews are on scene and rescue efforts are underway.

The Office of Homeland Security established a one-block radius evacuation zone.

Courtesy of the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security.

N. Rampart Street is closed to vehicles from St. Louis to Canal. Other street closures include Basin from Conti to Tulane, N. Rampart from Conti to Common, and Canal from Saratoga to Baronne.

According to city officials, the Canal Streetcar out of service from Claiborne to the Mississippi River, the Riverfront Streetcar is out of service, and the Rampart-UPT line impacted.

The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority announced that all bus and streetcar connections in the affected area near Canal and Elk will now be operated at their headquarters at 2817 Canal St. Staff will be on hand to assist riders with rerouted services.

For updates, visit http://norta.com #HardRockCollapse.

Man and woman sought after Bourbon Street encounter leads to robbery, NOPD says

The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) is searching for a man and a woman who are suspected of robbing an intoxicated victim at a hotel following a September 20 encounter on Bourbon Street.

The NOPD said the incident occurred on September 20 at midnight when the victim reported getting separated from his friends on Bourbon Street and that he met an unknown black female who offered to help find his hotel room.

Instead, according to the NOPD, the woman allegedly led him to a different hotel.

When the victim walked into the hotel’s elevator, a male suspect entered before the doors closed, and struck the victim over the head, causing the victim to lose consciousness.

The victim regained consciousness, the NOPD said, and discovered that his phone was missing, and two debit cards were missing from his wallet.

The victim could not provide a description of either subject, but did recall that the female subject wore yellow stripped pants.

The NOPD released a surveillance camera picture of the alleged woman.

The stolen debit cards were subsequently used at several locations causing approximately $3,088.12 in fraudulent charges, the NOPD said.

Security cameras from a Walmart in Kenner showed a woman clad in yellow stripped pants using the cards at the self-checkout counter, the NOPD said.

Anyone with information on this incident or the identity and whereabouts of the wanted subjects is asked to contact Detective Ron Howard at 504-658-6080 or call Crimestoppers anonymously at 504-822-1111 and toll-free at 877-903-7867.

Amite man suspected of carrying Glock 19 with extended magazine on Bourbon Street

An Amite man was arrested on October 6 after he was allegedly caught with a loaded Glock 19 handgun with extended magazine on Bourbon Street, the New Orleans Police Department said.

New Orleans Police Department Eighth District Promenade officers arrested 32-year-old Brandon Curry at about 12:28 a.m. in the 400 block of Bourbon Street after he was found in possession of the Glock 19, which shoots nine millimeter bullets; the extended magazine and 12 additional rounds of ammunition.

The NOPD arrested an Amite man for illegally carrying a firearm in the Eighth District.

According to NOPD, Curry has a felony conviction of aggravated assault with a firearm in Tangipahoa Parish and is forbidden from possessing a gun, adding that Curry recently completed five years of probation related to the charge.

A record check revealed the firearm was reported stolen by the Amite Police Department.

Curry was booked on suspicion of illegal carrying of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a stolen firearm. He was released after posting a $20,000 bond.

Cell phone theft suspect threatens victim with knife on Royal Street, NOPD says

A man is wanted after being suspected of stealing a cell phone from a victim, who chased the suspect before the suspect threatened him with a knife on Royal Street on September 23, according to the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD).

The NOPD is searching for 26-year-old Frederico Turner, who it says is suspected of simple robbery and aggravated assault.

Detectives determined that Turner was inside a business in the 100 block of Royal St. at about 5:58 p.m. when he allegedly snatched a cell phone out of the victim’s hand and fled on foot.

The victim tried to follow Turner, according to the NOPD, but pulled a knife and threatened to kill the victim if he continued to chase him.

NOPD Eighth District detectives request that anyone with information about this incident or whereabouts of Turner to call 504-658-6080. Anonymous callers can contact Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 877-903-7867.

NOPD: Suspects distracted Bourbon Street bartender, then stole cash

The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) said two men are wanted after one allegedly distracted a bartender in the 800 block of Bourbon St., while the other grabbed cash from a bank bag on September 8.

The incident happened at about 5:30 a.m., according to the NOPD, adding that the suspects left the bar in an unknown direction.

The NOPD released a surveillance camera still photo allegedly showing the suspects, which is pictured above.

Anyone with information on the identity and whereabouts of the two men are asked to contact NOPD Eighth District detectives at 504-658-6080. Anonymous callers can call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 877-903-7867.

New Orleans jury quash felony marijuana charge against Antoine’s server

A New Orleans potential jury of men and women weren’t convinced that Antoine’s server Jabar Kensey should face a felony marijuana charge in Criminal District Court on October 8, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate reported.

Kensey was arrested on Bourbon Street last January and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute after he was allegedly found with weed contained 17 individual baggies and $100 in cash, according to the newspaper.

Judge Waldron halted the jury selection process after 20 out of 25 potential jurors were dropped, with the judge emphasizing jurors who voiced their opinions on “whether or not (marijuana) should be the subject of criminal laws outlawing it,” the newspaper reported.

Under a plea agreement, prosecutors instead agreed to amend Kensey’s felony charge to a misdemeanor.

Kensey also agreed to spend 12 weekend days in jail and forfeit the $100 in cash he had with him on Bourbon Street last January.

Citing Stavros Panagoulopoulos, Kensey’s attorney, the newspaper reported that Kensey could have faced between 15 to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Kensey already has a conviction for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and one for simple burglary, both felonies.

Two suspects snatched $100 bill from victim’s hand on Bourbon Street, NOPD says

The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) released a surveillance camera photo of two males suspected of snatching a $100 bill out of a victim’s hand on Bourbon Street on September 26.

According to the NOPD, the victim was walking in the 200 block of Bourbon St. at 4:30 a.m. when one suspect allegedly snatched the bill victim’s hand.

The suspect and an accomplice, according to the NOPD, ran from the scene down Bourbon Street, turning left onto Iberville Street.

One suspect is described as male, possibly Hispanic, standing about six foot one inch and weight about 160 pounds. He was wearing a Chicago Bulls cap, black shirt and jeans.

The second suspect is also described as a male, possibly Hispanic, standing about five foot nine inches, and weighing about 180 pounds. He was last seen wearing a cap turned backwards, a black shirt and dark colored pants.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact NOPD Eighth District detectives at 504-658-6080. Anonymous callers can contact Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 1-877-903-7867.

NOPD searches for Bourbon Street transgender pickpocket suspect

The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) is searching for an alleged transgender suspect wanted in connection to a pickpocket incident that occurred in the 400 block of Bourbon St. on September 22.

According to the NOPD, the victim was walking along Bourbon Street at about 3:45 a.m. when he was approached by the female transgender suspect.

The victim accepted a hug from the suspect, who allegedly stole unidentified property from the victim.

The NOPD released a picture of the alleged suspect, which is pictured above.

The NOPD requests anyone with information on this incident is requested to call Eighth District detectives at 504-658-6080. Anonymous callers can contact Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 1-877-903-7867.

Police search for man named ‘Slim’ suspected in St. Louis Street armed robbery on Sept. 25

The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) is searching for an unidentified man by the name of “Slim” who allegedly robbed a victim using a knife in the 900 block of St. Louis St. on September 25.

The victim was walking down Conti Street , according to the NOPD, when at about 4:48 a.m. a black male who goes by the nickname of “Slim” approached him holding a small pocketknife in his right hand and demanded the victim’s property.

The victim complied and handed over his wallet and money. The suspect then fled down Conti towards North Rampart Street, according to the NOPD.

The suspect is described has five foot nine inches tall and weighing approximately 160 pounds. He was last seen wearing a pair of gray colored shorts, dark colored t-shirt, black slippers with black socks and wore a dark-colored bandana or skull cap on top of his head, according to the NOPD.

Police released an alleged surveillance photo of the suspect, which is pictured above.

Anyone with information on this incident is requested to contact NOPD Eighth District detectives at 504-658-6080. Anonymous callers can contact Crimerstoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 877-903-7867.

Robbery suspects sought after Sept. 15 attack on Bourbon Street

The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) is searching for a man and a woman who are wanted in connection to an alleged strong arm robbery in the 700 block of Bourbon St. on September 15.

According to the NOPD, the victim was sitting on a curb at about 4:46 a.m. when was approached by an unknown black male who engaged in a short conversation with him before the man punched him in the face and then stomping on his head.

After the victim was allegedly battered, according to the NOPD, an unknown black female picked the victim’s property off the ground then her and her male counterpart fled down Bourbon Street in an unspecified direction.

The NOPD requests that anyone with information on this incident to contact Eighth District detectives at 504-658-6080. Anonymous callers can call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 877-903-7867.