NOPD quickly apprehended two suspects in an armed robbery of a Circle K convenience store on Magazine Street this morning (Sept. 20).

At approximately 1:26 a.m. today, two unknown black males entered the Circle K located in the 6000 block of Magazine. One of the males approached the counter while the other one served as a lookout. The first male, later identified as Elijah Brooks (DOB: 12/10/63) told the manager he had a gun and for her to empty the cash register. She told Brooks that she was unable to open the register so he walked behind counter, pulled a black garbage bag from his waistband and began taking cartons of cigarettes and putting them in the bag. Brooks and the second man, identified as Samuel Brooks (DOB: 05/05/66), then fled the location in a green pickup truck.

A description of the suspects’ vehicle was broadcast to Second District officers who quickly located the truck and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle fled with officers giving chase until the truck crashed into a parked car at the intersection of Second and Carondelet. Both men exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Officers again gave chase and quickly apprehended both suspects and took them into custody.

The store manager positively identified Elijah Brooks and Samuel Brooks as the men who robbed the store. Both were transported to University Medical Center for treatment of injuries sustained when their vehicle crashed, then taken to Central Lockup where they were booked on charges of armed robbery and flight from an officer.

If you have information about this incident please contact 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 robberies down 12 percent citywide in 2016

The number of armed robberies reported citywide is down 12 percent in 2016. Year-to-date, 558 armed robberies have been reported in 2016 compared to 667 armed robberies reported through the same time last year. 

At the same time, the department is responding quickly and aggressively to armed robberies, netting major arrests across the city with district detectives and the work of the TIGER Unit. 

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