A quiet Monday morning walk turned into a terrifying ordeal for a man and woman in New Orleans' Central City neighborhood when they were robbed at gunpoint, police said. The pair was heading toward a home when an unknown man approached, grabbed one of their bags, pressed a handgun against one of the victims, and ran off. Officers searched the block shortly afterward and said they are still actively looking for the suspect.
Investigators told WDSU the encounter started as a street-level sales pitch. The suspect allegedly tried to sell drugs to the couple, and when they refused, he snatched the bag and took off. Police described the man as Black, about 5-foot-7, heavyset, and wearing long dreadlocks, according to the station. As of the latest update, no arrests had been announced. Detectives said they were canvassing the area for witnesses and any available surveillance video.
Police description and how to help
The New Orleans Police Department says the suspect should be considered armed and dangerous and is urging anyone with information to contact investigators. The department's website lists the Crimestoppers hotline and an online tip form for anonymous reports, according to the New Orleans Police Department.
Central City context
The robbery comes on the heels of several violent incidents in Central City in recent weeks, including an earlier corner robbery that ended in gunfire in June. That episode, along with other recent crimes, has heightened neighborhood concern about daytime robberies along the Willow and Felicity corridor.
Anyone with information about the latest incident is asked to call Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans at 504-822-1111 or submit a tip online via Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans. The organization notes that tips may be eligible for a reward.
