NOPD is looking for the perpetrator of an armed robbery that occurred in the 800 block of Fern Street yesterday (Dec. 26).

The victims reported that upon leaving a family party at a residence on Fern Street around 8:40 p.m., an unknown black male emerged from bushes near the home. He pointed a handgun at two of the victims and ordered them to go back inside the residence. Once inside, the perpetrator pointed the handgun at the other victims inside the house and demanded their property. One victim fled out the back door and let the owner’s German Shepherd into the house, and the perpetrator grabbed another victim’s cell phone and fled the residence. Another victim gave chase and the suspect turned and fired one shot at the victim before fleeing the scene. No one was injured.

The suspect is described as a black male, 5'8” tall, 17-20 years of age, with short dreadlocks. He was wearing a white shirt, blue jeans, and had a printed bandana covering his face. He was carrying a black semi-automatic handgun.

If you have any information about this incident please contact detective Damita M. Williams or any Second District detective at 504-658-6020. Citizens with information that can help solve crimes are asked to call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free 1-877-903-STOP.

Armed Robbery

In Louisiana, an armed robbery conviction requires the offender to be imprisoned at hard labor for 10 – 99 years, without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. When a firearm is used in the commission of the crime, the offender will be imprisoned for an additional 5 years that will be served consecutively to the original sentence.