On July 19, 2017, the NOPD arrested Willie Earl Tyson (DOB: 10-01-1971) in connection with an armed robbery that occurred on June 23, 2017 in the 7900 block of Chef Menteur Highway.

The victim told police that on June 23 at about 5:50 a.m., he was exiting a store in the area and walking to his vehicle when he was approached by an unknown black male. The victim said the subject started a conversation before the subject reportedly produced a small handgun and pointed it at the victim, demanding the victim’s wallet and threatening to kill the victim. The subject then allegedly reached into the victim’s back pocket and retrieved the victim’s wallet. The victim said that an altercation then ensued between the two, with the subject breaking free and fleeing the scene on foot before entering a light-colored pickup truck that drove away from the scene.

On July 19, Seventh District officers conducted a traffic stop at the same store in the 7900 block of Chef Menteur Highway where the June 23 robbery occurred. Officers stopped a pickup truck matching the description of the vehicle used by the suspect in the June 23 armed robbery. The driver, later identified as Tyson, was detained at the traffic stop and positively identified. Officers then arrested and booked into Central Lockup on a charge of principal to armed robbery.

In addition to the armed robbery charge, Tyson was also found in possession of a crack cocaine pipe at the time of his arrest and was booked with possession of drug paraphernalia.

Anyone with further information on the armed robbery incident is asked to contact Seventh District detectives at 504-658-6070. Citizens with information that can help solve crimes are asked to call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 1-877-903-STOP.