Tag: French Quarter

Three killed after Hard Rock Hotel New Orleans construction crane collapses

A construction crane at the Hard Rock Hotel New Orleans collapsed on Saturday morning, killing three workers and injuring dozens more, 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, 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.

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

Brandon Curry. Courtesy of NOPD.

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

NOPD contributed photo.

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.

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.