The NOPD has arrested Earl Payton (DOB: 08-20-1979) in connection with an armed robbery that occurred on March 30, 2018 in the 2900 block of South Claiborne Avenue.

At about 11:54 a.m., a suspicious person reportedly entered the TJ Maxx store and began loading a shopping cart with numerous pairs of shoes and exited the store without paying for the merchandise through a rear emergency exit. When approached by store staff, the subject allegedly produced a handgun and pointed it at the employees before fleeing the scene.

At about 10:05 a.m. on April 1, Sixth District detectives observed an individual matching the description of the suspect in the aforementioned incident. The detectives attempted to stop the subject, at which time the subject reportedly fled on foot. During his flight, the subject reportedly discarded a handgun in the 2100 block of South Claiborne Avenue. A perimeter was established, and detectives were able to apprehend the subject. A check of the handgun dropped by the suspect revealed the weapon was reported stolen out of Jefferson Parish in 2016. The suspect was positively identified as Payton.

Payton was arrested and booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center for one count of armed robbery with a firearm, four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm and one count each of illegal carrying of a firearm and illegal possession of a stolen firearm

Anyone with additional information on this incident is asked to contact Sixth District detectives at 504-658-6060.