New Orleans police say a 47-year-old man is behind a recent run of burglaries that hit churches and small neighborhood businesses across the city’s Fifth District, and that he is now behind bars. Authorities identified the suspect as Robert A. Shavers, who was taken into custody on Thursday and booked into the Orleans Justice Center.
What police say
Fifth District detectives say they identified Shavers as the alleged perpetrator in at least 11 business burglaries reported over roughly the last three months, according to NOPD News. The cases span several addresses and dates: May 14 (6300 block of North Claiborne Avenue), May 17 (2400 block of Flood Street), May 25 (1400 block of Fats Domino Avenue), June 2 (4200 block of North Derbigny Street), June 28 (6000 block of North Claiborne Avenue), June 29 (1700 block of Gordon Street), June 30 (1400 block of Flood Street), July 1 (6300 block of North Claiborne Avenue), July 3 (1400 block of Fats Domino Avenue and 6000 block of North Robertson Street), and July 5 (2600 block of Burgundy Street). Anyone with information is asked to contact Fifth District detectives at 504-658-6050.
Arrest and booking
According to the department, Shavers was located and arrested without incident on Thursday, then booked into the Orleans Justice Center. In its statement, the NOPD noted that “all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty,” as reported by NOPD News.
Prior allegations and surveillance
Court records and earlier coverage show Shavers has previously been accused in dozens of other burglaries over the last decade. In 2025, he was linked to thefts from two churches, a day-care center and a restaurant, reporting from WDSU notes. That earlier reporting said surveillance cameras captured him taking items including alcohol, ice cream and cleaning supplies from some locations.
Where this happened and what comes next
The recent incidents were clustered in neighborhoods such as the Lower Ninth Ward, Holy Cross, St. Claude and the Bywater, areas dotted with small businesses and long-established houses of worship, as reported by NOLA.com. Detectives say they are continuing to review surveillance footage and court records as they build any prosecutable case, and they are still asking anyone with tips to contact the Fifth District.
