Members of the NOPD’s Violent Offenders Warrant Squad arrested three suspects today (January 3, 2018) in connection with three respective incidents.
Michael Williams (DOB: 08-15-1969) was arrested in connection with an incident that occurred in the 1900 block of Spain Street on December 22, 2017. At about 7 p.m., Fifth District officers responded to a suspicious person call in the area that was later changed to an aggravated assault and battery. The victim informed officers that she and her mother’s ex-boyfriend had engaged in a verbal altercation when the ex-boyfriend, later identified as Williams, allegedly grabbed the victim by the neck and threw her against a wall while screaming at her. An unknown black male then separated the two, before Williams then allegedly went to his vehicle and retrieved a pistol and threatened to shoot someone before fleeing the scene.
Investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Williams, who was located today and arrested by VOWS officers. Williams was booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center for aggravated assault with a firearm and simple battery. Anyone with additional information in this incident is asked to contact Fifth District detectives at 504-658-6050.
Herman Youngblood (DOB: 07-02-1990) was arrested in connection with an incident that occurred in the 3600 block of Garden Oaks Drive on December 26, 2017. At about 7 p.m., Fifth District officers responded to a call of an aggravated domestic battery in the area. Upon arrival, the victim told police she had traveled to Youngblood’s residence to pick up her son, whom Youngblood was watching. Youngblood was reportedly angry with the victim, who refused to leave the car. An argument ensued, during which time the victim noticed that Youngblood allegedly had a handgun in his waistband. Youngblood then reportedly pulled the victim from the car by her hair and threw her on the ground before attempting to pull her toward his residence. The victim escaped and returned to her vehicle, while the suspect took the victim’s phone and allegedly struck her in the face, pointed the handgun at her and threatened to kill her. Youngblood then reportedly left the area on foot. The victim told police that Youngblood had allegedly battered her and threatened to kill her in the past.
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Youngblood, who was arrested today and booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center for aggravated assault with a firearm, domestic abuse battery and theft. In addition, Youngblood was arrested for an outstanding warrant from Jefferson Parish. Anyone with additional information on this incident is asked to contact Fourth District detectives at 504-658-6040.
Wesley Payton (DOB: 01-05-1977) was arrested in an incident that occurred in the 200 block of Loyola Avenue on October 16, 2017.
Payton was arrested and booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center on two counts of simple burglary in connection with this incident, as well as on three additional warrants – one each for simple burglary and simple criminal damage to property that occurred in the same location, and an outstanding warrant from Jefferson Parish. Anyone with additional information on this incident is asked to contact Eighth District detectives at 504-658-6080.
At about 8:10 a.m., Eighth District officers responded to a call of a simple burglary at the location. The reporting person told officers that he was a foreman working on a renovation crew at the location when at about 1:29 a.m., an unknown black male had kicked down a makeshift wooden door that secured the building. The male then entered and stole a box of copper fittings and also wrapped pieces of copper in towels and placed it outside of the building. The victim stated when he and his crew returned to the site at 6:30 a.m., the crew found the copper on the sidewalk outside of the structure.
The reporting person added that on October 18, 2017, at about 11:18 p.m., the same unknown male again kicked in the makeshift door and entered the property, taking the same copper pieces from inside the building and fled the scene on Loyola Avenue, heading north on Gravier Street.
As investigation into the incident progressed, detectives were able to positively identify Payton as the perpetrator. An arrest warrant was obtained, and Payton was located and arrested. Payton was booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center for two counts of simple burglary in connection with this incident. Additionally, Payton was also arrested on three additional warrants – one count each of simple burglary and simple criminal damage to property from the first incident, as well as an outstanding warrant issued from Jefferson Parish. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Eighth District detectives at 504-658-6080.
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.