Projectnola.com

November 22, 2010

New Orleans Police Department-Public Information Office

NOPD’S Special Operations Division Task Force Unit Booked

12 Suspects Last Week

New Orleans- In one week’s time the Special Operations Division (S.O.D) Task Force Unit investigated 109 complaints, yielding 12 arrests for 14 Felonies, 28 Misdemeanors and 7 Municipal violations.  Officers conducted 42 vehicle stops and made 4 Traffic arrests.  The unit made 4 Narcotic cases, conducted 63 wanted checks, and made 92 pedestrian contacts. They wrote 35 reports and confiscated 71.36 grams of Marijuana. 

“Day after day the New Orleans Police Department receives calls from caring and involved citizens who want their neighborhoods to be free of crime. This is an important part of our partnership with the community and is addressed through hard work and results like these”, said Superintendent of Police Ronal Serpas.

These results are from November 14, 2010 thru November 20, 2010

    On 11/14/10 officers conducted a traffic stop at Bienville and North Miro Streets.  As officers approached the vehicle, the passenger in the vehicle, 33-year-old Ricardo Hollins was observed attempting to hide something under his seat. Officers ordered Hollins out of the vehicle and located a bag of marijuana under the front passenger side seat, where Hollins was sitting. Hollins was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana.  Hollins was found to be on parole for Possession of Cocaine and was also charged with Parole Violation.  The driver was cited for the traffic violations.

     On 11/19/10 officers were patrolling the Hollygrove area when they observed a large group of subjects gathered in the 8700 Block of Apicot Street for a repast.  The repast was for Trevon Buck, a juvenile that was killed in Metairie last week.  Officers observed Robert Lavinge smoking a blunt (Marijuana) in the middle of the block.  When Lavigne noticed Officers, he discarded a Beretta 9mm handgun under a truck, and the blunt to the ground. The officers placed Lavigne under arrest for the discarded gun and discarded marijuana. A search incidental to arrest revealed a Browning 9mm handgun in Lavigne’s waistband.  While canvassing the area, Officers located a Ruger 9 mm handgun lying on the sidewalk.  The Ruger was confiscated but no arrests were made in connection with that weapon.  None of the guns were stolen and Lavigne was not a convicted felon. Lavinge was charged with Possession of Marijuana, Illegally Carrying a Weapon and Possession of a Gun during a Crime. 

       On 11/19/10 officers conducted a traffic stop in the 2800 Block of Upperline Street.  As Officers approached the vehicle, the passenger in the vehicle, 23-year-old Taajah Dooley discarded a bag of Marijuana out of the passenger side window of the vehicle.  Dooley was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana. The driver of the vehicle was cited for the observed traffic violations.  

        On 11/20/10 officers conducted a traffic stop at the corner of

        36 year-old Dwayne Edwards was wanted by Sex Crimes Unit for a Sexual Battery that occurred in the 14600 block of

        A 14-year-old juvenile was wanted by the Fourth District for a Residence Burglary in the 1400 block of

        20-year-old Jakeem Jones was wanted by the Fourth District for Possession of Marijuana at General Degaulle and Garden Oaks Drive on 7-21-09.   Jones was arrested in Plaquemines Parish and transported back to New Orleans for Booking.

Since July of 2010, officers investigated approximately 2,736 complaints, executed approximately 15 search warrants, made approximately 354 felony cases, conducted approximately 1,123 vehicle checks, issued approximately 105 citations, made approximately 81 narcotics cases, confiscated approximately 47 guns and numerous amounts of illegal substances. 

The New Orleans Police Department, under the leadership of Superintendent Ronal W. Serpas, is engaged in a complete transformation in its approach to policing to ensure that New Orleans is a safer place. The entire police force, which currently employs 1,735 officers and support staff, is committed to accountability, transparency, integrity and collaboration to provide professional quality care and service to New Orleanians and New Orleans’ visitors. Anyone who has crime to report should call CRIMESTOPPERS at 822-1111, toll-free 1-877-903-STOP (7867) any time. To learn more about the NOPD and our services, visit http://www.cityofno.com/portals/portal50/portal.aspx  and visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php? 

 Officer Janssen Valencia