A daytime bike ride in New Orleans' Fifth District ended with a man in the hospital and police hunting for two suspects, after what investigators describe as a targeted hit-and-rob on Urquhart Street.
What Happened
According to NOPD News, officers were called around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday after reports that the victim, an adult Black man, had been “deliberately hit by a car while riding his bicycle” in the 1800 block of Urquhart Street. Investigators say two unknown Black males got out of the vehicle, assaulted the cyclist with firearms, then took his cash and cellphone before taking off.
Police Appeal for Tips
Police say the victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment, and detectives have identified the individuals shown in the released images. In a Facebook post, the New Orleans Police Department urged anyone with information to contact Fifth District detectives at (504) 658-6050 or to call Crime Stoppers anonymously at (504) 822-1111, according to NOPD on Facebook.
Where This Fits in City Trends
Local reporting has highlighted a run of robberies and carjackings this year that in some cases involved victims being lured into cars or struck in the street, prompting repeated citywide warnings from police. Coverage of multiple carjackings in early May and a separate holdup on Loyola Avenue suggests the problem has clustered in certain neighborhoods this spring. WWL and the Loyola Avenue stickup reported on similar incidents.
Police are also asking anyone with dash-cam, doorbell or other video from the 1800 block of Urquhart Street around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday to save the footage and call investigators. Tipsters can reach Fifth District detectives at (504) 658-6050 or remain anonymous through Crime Stoppers at (504) 822-1111.
