In what seems to be a daring case of déjà vu, the Slidell Police Department announced the arrest of a man accused of robbing the same store twice within one week. The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Durbert Ashford, reportedly targeted the Smoke N Smoke shop on Brownswitch Road for both incidents. According to a Facebok post by the Slidell Police Department, the initial robbery unfolded in the early morning of February 4, 2026, where the suspect concealed his identity and took an undisclosed amount of cash from an employee before fleeing the scene.
The Slidell Police Department immediately engaged in investigative work following the first incident, which helped them to develop leads pointing toward a potential suspect and residence. As the community was immersed in a Mardi Gras parade on Sunday, the same Smoke N Smoke store was hit again by Ashford, who once again shrouded his identity and absconded with cash. Leveraging the previously gathered information, officers from Slidell Police and St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office moved promptly, finding Ashford at a connected residence, subsequently identifying him through his apparel which matched that of the suspect's in the second heist.
Upon detaining Ashford, officers discovered evidence on his person relating to the second robbery. "This arrest is the result of strong investigative work, quick action, and teamwork by our Slidell Police officers and STPSO deputies," Slidell Police Chief Daniel Seuzeneau revealed. "If not apprehended so quickly, this suspect likely would have escalated and continued his crime spree. Quick apprehensions like this is how we keep our community safe," Slidell Police Department detailed in the aforementioned Facebook post.
