Author: Dave Minsky

New Orleans Police seek identity of person wanted in connection to North Rampart Street vehicle burglary, credit card theft

(Picture: Courtesy of the NOPD)
New Orleans Police are seeking the identity of a person allegedly captured on surveillance video footage attempting to use a credit card stolen from a vehicle on North Rampart Street last month.

The burglary incident occurred at about 9:15 p.m. Nov. 28 when a female victim reported that the purse containing her credit and debit cards was taken from her vehicle in the 1100 block of North Rampart Street, according to New Orleans Police.

The next day, on Nov. 29, the victim’s bank notified that a person attempted use her stolen credit at a restaurant in the 2000 block of Bayou Road shortly before 8:30 a.m.

New Orleans Police released surveillance video footage, picture above, of the alleged credit card fraud Wednesday.

Anyone with additional information on this incident or the suspect’s identity is asked to contact First District detectives at 504-658-6010. Tipsters can call anonymously to Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 877-903-7867.

Argument leads to couple’s arrest in connection to shooting incident on Conti Street

Argument leads to couple’s arrest in connection to shooting incident on Conti Street

(Graphic by Eric T. Styles)
A man and a woman were arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault-related charges after an argument on Conti Street led to an incident in which one of the suspects is accused of shooting at a random motorist Saturday night.

The incident occurred at 11:30 p.m. when a man and woman, identified as 43-year-0ld Jose Pablo Villa Cruz and 31-year-old Christie Paniagua, began arguing in the 700 block of Conti Street, according to New Orleans Police.

During the argument, Cruz took a gun out of the female’s purse and waved it towards a nearby female victim sitting inside of their vehicle.

The victim exited the car and fled towards the police station, with the male firing several shots towards them, according to New Orleans Police.

New Orleans Police officers, including the mounted patrol, arrested the two suspects on Bourbon Street without injury.

Paniagua was booked into Orleans Parish Justice Center on suspicion of charges including disturbing the peace and illegally carrying a weapon. Her bail was set on $7,500 following a Dec. 13 court appearance, according to records.

Booking information was not immediately available for Cruz.

New Orleans Police investigate shooting that injured two males on Canal Street

$325M renovation will turn Harrah’s Casino into Caesars New Orleans

(Caesars New Orleans after a $325 million makeover | Courtesy of Caesars Entertainment)
Harrah’s Casino will be transformed into Caesars New Orleans as part of a four-year, $325 million construction project that will include a new hotel tower and several redesigned portions of the property.

The announcement was made last week, with plans presented to the New Orleans Building Corporation on Dec. 8, according to Caesars Entertainment, the casino’s operator.

The construction project is expected to be completed by 2024 and will essentially create a new resort and will include a 340-room tower, development of the casino’s unoccupied second story and additional exterior and interior changes.

Harrah’s is the only land-based casino in Louisiana. All others sit on bodies of water.

The Harrah’s property is owned by New York-based real estate investment company Vici Properties, which leases it to Eldorado Resorts Inc., the parent company of Ceasars Entertainment. Eldorado purchased Ceasars in July 2020 for $173 million.

In June 2019, Caesars won an extension of its contract to operate the casino until 2054.

To read more information about the project and what local public officials said about it, visit here.

Two arrested after robbery near Harrah’s casino; NOPD seeks third suspect

Vieux Carre Commission, French Quarter Management District to hold remote public meetings Dec. 16

(Graphic by Eric T. Styles)
Public meetings for two governmental bodies whose jurisdictions include the French Quarter are scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 16.

The first meeting is by the Vieux Carre Commission and will be held via WebEx conference call starting at 1 p.m. CST.

The dial-in number is 504-658-7001 and the access is code is 992 297 424.

Meeting agenda and other materials can be found here.

The VCCs purpose is to preserve and regulate the historic character of the French Quarter and was created following an amendment to Louisiana’s constitution in 1936.

2020.12.16-Vieux-Carre-Commission-Meeting-Agenda

The second meeting will be held by the French Quarter Management District‘s Government Affairs Committee starting at 2:10 p.m. and will also be held remotely.

Those who wish to observe or to participate in the meeting can join via teleconference at meetings.ringcentral.com. The access code is 204 758 9217.

The public can also view the meeting at meetings.ringcentral.com or listen in at 469-445-0100.

An agenda for the FQMD’s Government Affairs Committee can be viewed here. Public comments should be emailed to publiccomments@fqmd.org and will be accepted from the time the agenda is released until the conclusion of its reading.

The FQMD was created by the Louisiana legislature in 2007 for the purpose of revitalizing the French Quarter following Hurricane Katrina.

20201216_Governmental-Affairs-Committee_agenda

Other remote city meetings occurring on Wednesday include the Street Renaming Advisory Committee at 3 p.m. CST. An agenda and live streaming video can be found here.

Then on Thursday, Dec. 17, the French Quarter Economic Development District and City Council will hold public meetings at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., respectively. Agendas and live streaming videos can be found here.

Tankless water heater led to bomb threat near Jackson Square, NOPD says

(Photo: A Lucky Dog vendor stands in Jackson Square following a bomb threat on Dec. 11. | Eric T. Styles)
A bomb threat that led to the evacuation of Jackson Square and a portion of Decatur Street on Friday turned out to be a tankless water heater, according to New Orleans Police on Tuesday.

Officers responded to a call from French Market security guards, who reported a suspicious box on the corner of St. Ann and Decatur streets at about 9 a.m., according to Lt. Sam Palumbo, Jr.

Upon arrival, officers saw an inscription on the box that led them to believe it was a bomb, leading to the evacuation of the surrounding area.

Bomb squad technicians later determined the box was not an explosive device, Palumbo said.

“It really did look look like one,” said Palumbo, who revealed the box’s actual contents during Tuesday’s Max meeting at the NOPD’s 8th District headquarters on Royal Street. “We really did think it was a device.”

Officers arrested a 42-year-old man, identified as Steve Nguyen, who allegedly admitted to writing the inscription. Palumbo did not say what was written on the box.

Nguyen was booked into Orleans Parish Justice Center on one count related to a fake explosive device.

Nguyen on Saturday appeared via videoconference in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Section M2, where his bail was set at $30,000.

He is scheduled to appear at 3 p.m. on Feb. 10, 2021 in section M4 of Orleans Parish Criminal Court, where he is expected to oppose the charge, according to records.

Man arrested after fake bomb threat prompts NOPD response, Jackson Square evacuation