A suspect believed to be responsible for committing a dozen armed robberies over the past eight months is off the street tonight (Oct. 26) after police arrested him this afternoon during a citywide search. Acting on information gathered by district detectives, officers assigned to the TIGER Unit tracked down and arrested Kenneth Barnes (DOB: 12-21-1968) at noon today near the intersection of Foucher and Baronne Streets.

Through the course of the investigation, detectives identified Barnes as the suspect in the following incidents:

• Attempted Armed Robbery reported on October 24 at the Jimmy John’s sandwich shop in the 7600 block of Maple Street;
• Armed Robbery reported at the Shell Gas station on October 21 in the 600 block of South Carrollton Avenue;
• Armed Robbery reported on September 29 at the Rite Aid in the 7100 block of St. Charles Avenue;
• Armed Robbery reported on March 31 at the Maple Street Bookstore in the 7500 block of Maple Street;
• Armed Robbery reported on March 2 at the Rite Aid in the 1100 block of South Carrollton Avenue; and
• Armed Robbery reported on March 1 at the Smoothie King in the 200 block of North Carrollton Avenue. 

Detective have identified Barnes as a suspect in an additional six incidents. All of the investigations are on-going. The First, Second and Third Police District as well as the TIGER Unit ((Tactical Intelligence Gathering and Enforcement Response) are working collaboratively on the on-going investigations.

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.

Aggressive Police Work has led to Double-Digit Decrease in Armed robberies citywide in 2016

The NOPD has worked aggressively over the past several months to attack violent crime, with a focus on preventing and solving armed robberies reported citywide. The focused coordination of police resources has led to a double-digit decrease in armed robberies reported citywide. Year-to-date, 656 armed robberies have been reported in 2016 compared to 768 armed robberies reported through the same time last year—a decrease of 15 percent.