Police are asking the public’s help in identifying and locating a suspect wanted in connection to a simple robbery that occurred in the 900 block of St. Louis St. on Dec. 9, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) said.
The incident occurred at approximately 1:05 a.m., the NOPD said.
Anyone with additional information on this incident is asked to contact NOPD Eighth District detectives at 504-658-6080, or to call anonymously to Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 877-903-7867.
A man captured on a surveillance camera video Dec. 15 is wanted for a shooting in the 600 block of S. Rampart St. that left a victim injured, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) said.
The suspect approached the victim who was walking his dog at approximately 2 a.m. and demanded his belongings, the NOPD said.
Even though the victim complied, the NOPD said, the suspect shot his firearm several times, striking the victim.
According to Fox 8, the victim was struck once in the back of the leg as he tried to flee from the suspect.
Surveillance camera footage of the suspect leaving the scene was released by the NOPD on Dec. 18 and can be viewed above.
Any information on this incident or this suspect is asked to contact NOPD Eighth District detectives at 504-658-6080, or to call anonymously to Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free 877-903-STOP.
A man was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault Dec. 7 after police saw a man allegedly trying to attack another using a samurai sword, the Louisiana State Police said.
Troopers from the Louisiana State Police Troop N were on a proactive vehicle patrol in the 600 block of Royal St. when saw heard individuals screaming, the Louisiana State Police said.
When officers approached, they saw Travis Fisher, 42, with a sword raised in an “aggressive manner” towards a man attempting to move out of the way, the Louisiana State Police said.
Fisher immediately complied with troopers’ orders to drop the sword and was taken into custody, the Louisiana State Police added.
Earl Bernhardt, co-founder of the iconic Tropical Isle bar and the Hand Grenade drink, reportedly died on Dec. 5. He was 80 years old.
Bernhardt, along with his business partner Pam Fortner, founded the Tropical Isle bar after the 1984 Louisiana World Exposition and its melon-flavored signature cocktail served in an elongated neon green container shaped.
Shaped like a hand grenade at the bottom, cups are often seen strewn along Bourbon Street on a daily basis and have become an essential part of French Quarter scenery.
The drink comes in two varieties: frozen or with ice.
The bar expanded to five locations on Bourbon Street and has been a French Quarter mainstay for decades.
Longtime Tropical Isle employees praise Bernhardt for his generosity and treating them like family despite running a high-volume business with stressful hours.
His reputation extended to the local music community as his venues hosted many popular bands and musicians over the years.
Bernhardt was also known for his flashy dress. During visits to the bar, Bernhardt was occasionally seen wearing a solid gold chain with a Hand Grenade medallion around his neck.
Bernhardt was originally from Jackson, Mississippi. A cause of death was not disclosed.
A second line celebration of life parade was held for Bernhardt on Monday, Dec. 16.
New Orleans police arrested two men in connection to the Dec. 1 shooting on Canal Street that injured a dozen people, including the suspects.
The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) on Dec. 10 arrested 21-year-old Stafford Starks and then on Dec. 11 arrested 22-year-old LaBryson Polidore, who the NOPD said was injured in the shooting.
Polidore was arrested in the Baton Rouge area, according to the Associated Press.
Both men are suspects in the shooting that occurred among a crowd of people shortly before 3:30 a.m. in the 700 block of Canal St., the NOPD said. The incident happened on the Sunday following the 46th annual Bayou State Classic football game.
Ten people were initially reported injured at the scene, not including the shooters, the NOPD said.
The NOPD’s capture of Starks and identification of Polidore came with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals, FBI, ATF, the St. Mary and Iberville parish sheriff’s offices, the Louisiana State Police and tips submitted to Crimestoppers GNO.
The Iberville and St. Mary parish sheriff’s offices provided “vital assistance” during the investigation, the NOPD said.
Through a process of corroborating Crimestopper tips, the NOPD said, investigators issued arrest warrants for Starks and Polidore after they were positively identified as shooters in the incident.
Investigators learned that the shooting stemmed from a feud between Starks and Polidore in St. Mary Parish, the NOPD said.
The NOPD said search warrants served on Dec. 10 revealed two additional individuals who were involved in the shooting reported their injuries to a medical facility in St. Mary Parish.
One of them was identified as Polidore, who was shot in the foot. The other is a 23-year-old man, who sustained a gunshot wound to the leg.
Starks was booked into the St. Mary Parish jail just after 1 p.m. on Dec. 10. and currently awaits extradition to Orleans Parish. He faces charges of attempted second degree murder, illegal carrying and discharge of a weapon and obstruction of justice, the NOPD said.
Online records show that Polidore was booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Jail on Dec. 11 with no bail posted.
The NOPD said Polidore faces 10 counts of attempted second degree murder, illegal carrying and discharge of a weapon and obstruction of justice.
The investigation is ongoing.
The NOPD requests that anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Homicide Unit detectives at 504-658-5300, or to call anonymously to Crimestoppers GNO at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 877-903-STOP.
