The NOPD has arrested Joshua James (DOB: 04-20-1994) and a 15-year-old juvenile male in connection with an auto theft as well as an aggravated assault that both occurred on December 12, 2018.

At approximately 9:30 a.m., NOPD Seventh District officers received a call in reference to a victim allegedly using GPS to track and follow his red 2017 Ford Escape, which was reported stolen earlier that morning from the 5500 block of Mandeville Street in the Third District. Once near the intersection of Wright Road and Chef Menteur Highway, the victim allegedly confronted the occupants of the stolen vehicle. At that time, the driver of the stolen vehicle reportedly accelerated towards the victim, while the front seat passenger of the stolen vehicle allegedly pointed a firearm at the victim. The vehicle fled, and the victim notified the police, continuing to provide GPS tracking data to officers.

Through investigation, officers learned the vehicle had been abandoned near the intersection of Selma and America streets. Responding officers canvassed the immediate area and located two individuals who matched the description provided by the victim walking in the 4300 block of Dale Street. The victim’s vehicle keys were also located on the ground not far from where the two individuals were apprehended. Both of these individuals were positively identified by the victim as being inside his stolen vehicle at the time he encountered it. Further evidence led detectives to believe that the two individuals – later identified as James and the 15-year-old male juvenile – were responsible for abandoning the stolen vehicle and walking away from it, prior to being located by responding officers.

Both subjects were arrested and booked with possession of stolen property and principal to aggravated assault with a firearm.

A third individual believed to be involved in this incident remains at large and unidentified. This individual was described as a black male approximately 12 to 13 years of age, wearing a black in color jacket and grey beanie style hat, armed with a handgun.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident, or with information as to the identity of the third individual, is asked to contact NOPD Seventh District detectives at 504-658-6070 or to call anonymously to Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 1-877-903-STOP.