NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – Five armed robberies in the Uptown neighborhood these past few weeks is enough to keep neighbors on edge.
“We were scared you know to walk and enjoy the neighborhood with that going on so I’m glad to hear an arrest has been made,” says Uptown resident John Malta.
Around 10 Friday night NOPD arrested a 16-year-old believed to be responsible for the crime spree. An initial pat down during his arrest revealed he was carrying a revolver, too.
And after obtaining a search warrant at his home in the 3600 block of Earhart Boulevard, police found five smart phones, clothing described by one of the victims and a lever action rifle.
“Based on those facts and the evidence uncovered, we have connected this teenager with five separate armed robberies reported Uptown since September 5th to September 25th,” says NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison.
The first robbery happened on the 1300 block of Marengo Street, the second, on the 5,000 block of Prytania, the third, on the intersection of General Pershing and Perrier, the fourth, on the 1300 block of Milan Street and the fifth robbery took place near the intersection of Milan and Camp.
“Public safety is the number one priority of the city of New Orleans. I want to reassure resident and visitors that I and this administration’s entire government is committed to making sure that every day, that every city in New Orleans is safe,” says New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landreiu.
Mayor Landrieu and Superintendent Harrison say crime is down by 8% across the city versus the same time last year, but Uptown residents aren’t quite convinced that’s true.
They say the culprit behind the city’s recent armed robberies may be behind bars, but their otherwise quiet neighborhood is still on edge.
“It doesn’t feel like it’s down 8%. It feels like it’s gone up to me,” says Malta.