NOPD seeks help identifying Saenger Theater graffiti suspects

(Images courtesy of NOPD)
New Orleans Police are searching for an unidentified male and female suspects wanted in an alleged criminal damage incident in which the Saenger Theater was graffitied on June 11.

The incident occurred at about 10:40 p.m. when the male and female spray-painted the Basin Street side wall of the Saenger Theater located at 1111 Canal St., according the New Orleans Police.

Before the incident, New Orleans Police believe the male and female arrived in a red Nissan Pathfinder or Armada.

Graffiti spray-painted on the Basin Street side of the Saenger Theater on June 11, according to the NOPD

The graffiti depicts the phrase “Fuck 12,” which references a derogatory term for police.

Built in 1927, the Saenger Theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which designates buildings and other objects with historical significance.

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

Suspects sought by NOPD in connection to residential burglary on Burgundy Street

(Photo: NOPD)
New Orleans Police are asking the public’s help in identifying suspects wanted in connection to a Tuesday residential burglary in the French Quarter.

The burglary occurred shortly after 9 p.m. when two suspects (pictured above at left) entered the side walkway into the rear courtyard of a residence in the 1000 block of Burgundy Street, according to New Orleans Police.

The suspects allegedly took two firearms, two bicycles and a backpack before fleeing the location towards Esplanade Avenue.

About six hours later, at about 3 a.m. on June 24, an unknown Black male (pictured above at right) used a credit card belonging to one of the victims at the Brown Derby convenience store on Tulane Avenue and Jefferson Davis Parkway, according to New Orleans Police.

Anyone with additional information on the incident or the identities and locations of the suspects is asked to contact NOPD Eighth District Detectives at 504-658-6080. Anonymous callers can contact Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 877-903-7867.

Woman arrested in connection to Decatur Street business burglary

NOPD searches for person of interest in reported St. Louis Street auto theft

(Photo: NOPD)
A female person of interest is wanted by New Orleans Police in connection to an alleged St. Louis Street auto theft in May and other incidents.

New Orleans Police on June 10 released the above-pictured female who is believed to have information about the alleged auto theft in the 600 block of St. Louis Street on May 17.

Anyone with information regarding the identity and/or whereabouts of the person of interest is asked to contact Eight District detectives at 504-658-6080. Anonymous calls can contact Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 877-903-7867.

Woman arrested in connection to Decatur Street business burglary

(Photo: Elizabeth Slaton via NOPD)
A woman was arrested Tuesday in connection to a business burglary that occurred yesterday on Decatur Street.

Officers responded to a complaint of a business burglary in the 800 block of Decatur Street in the French Quarter on June 8, according to New Orleans Police.

Eighth District detectives determined through their investigation that Elizabeth Slaton, 36, entered the rear of the business and allegedly stole several items.

Detectives were able to positively identify Slaton and obtain an arrest warrant, the NOPD said.

Slaton was located at the NOPD’s 5th District station at 3900 North Claiborne Avenue and was taken into custody.

Slaton was booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center on suspicion of simple burglary of a business.

Anyone with additional information on this incident is asked to contact NOPD Eighth District detectives at 504-658-6080.

Thousands gather in Jackson Square to protest police brutality following George Floyd killing

(Photos: New Orleans Police Department, Contributed)
Thousands gathered to protest against police brutality in the French Quarter on Friday following the death of George Floyd, who died after a Minneapolis Police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes during an arrest on May 25.

The incident was captured on a viral cell phone video and subsequently spawned several rounds of protests in New Orleans and many more that continue throughout the world more than two weeks after Floyd’s death.

Protesters gathered in front of St. Louis Cathedral early Friday evening and the crowd continue to grow for several more minutes until it expanded onto Decatur Street and Washington Artillery Park, where the main gathering was held.

The peaceful gathering lasted for approximately two hours and included numerous public speakers who decried racism and police violence.

A second gathering of protesters marched peacefully through the French Quarter on Saturday, walking down Esplanade Avenue to North Rampart Street before dispersing at Bienville Street.

In anticipation of the gatherings, the city closed access to Jackson Square proper, which contains the statue of Battle of New Orleans General and seventh U.S. President Andrew Jackson.

The Jackson statue had been the target of Take ‘Em Down NOLA, an activist group that advocates for its removal because its symbolization of white supremacy.

Additionally, several businesses were seen boarded-over, although it was difficult to tell whether it was because of Tropical Storm Cristobal or to prepare in the event the protest devolved into civil unrest.

But despite the rumors of possibly violence or civil unrest in the French Quarter, no such incidents were reported and the NOPD thanked demonstrators for the peaceful protest.

The NOPD closed most of Decatur Street, except for a portion in between Toulouse and Dumaine streets in order to accommodate the protest. Hardly any police were seen, a contrast from last Wednesday’s confrontational protest on the Crescent City Connection Bridge.

The June 3 large group of protesters gathered on Highway 90 and attempted to cross the bridge over the Mississippi River before the NOPD deployed tear gas and other non-lethal ammunition.