Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Four juveniles, including an 11-year-old, were arrested after police say they were connected to a New Orleans crime spree, which ended when police say the victim of an attempted robbery opened fire on the group.
According to the New Orleans Police Department, the arrests happened around 4 p.m. on Saturday when what started as an attempted armed robbery ended with gunfire.
The victim told police that they were near the 4900 block of Eastern Street when they were approached by a group of suspects riding in a red SUV. That’s when detectives say the group tried to rob the victim, however, the tables quickly turned when the victim pulled out a weapon and opened fire on the group.
We’re told the group got back into the SUV and tried to drive away, but ended up crashing.
When police arrived, they found the group near the corner of Selma Street and Peoples Avenue, only blocks away from the scene of the attempted robbery. Despite an attempt to run away, all four were quickly arrested.
It was then discovered that two of the suspects, ages 11 and 13, had both been shot in the leg. They were both taken to a nearby hospital for treatment before being booked into the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center. We’re told the victim who fired the shots will not be charged.
As the investigation progressed, the NOPD learned the crashed SUV had been stolen earlier on Saturday from a nearby home on Press Drive, near Pontchartrain Park. It’s believed the group used the car for two other crimes that day:
- An attempted robbery in the 2400 block of Jay Street
- An armed carjacking in the 6400 block of Painters Street
The four male juveniles (ages 11, 13, 15, and 16) all face the following charges:
- First-degree robbery
- Attempted armed robbery with a firearm
- Attempted simple robbery
- Illegal possession of stolen things
Additionally, the 15-year-old was charged with illegal carrying of a weapon.
The NOPD continues to investigate the crime string. Anyone with any additional information is urged to contact Third District detectives at 504-658-6030.
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