NOPD officers arrested a burglary suspect today (Sept. 29) after they tracked him down on Jefferson Avenue with the help of Iowa State Probation and Parole officials.

Around noon, Iowa law enforcement officials alerted the NOPD that Austin Taets (DOB: 2-28-1994) was in the New Orleans area. Officials, who were monitoring Taets activity, said Taets was wanted on a felony charge in Iowa.

Second District officers, along with NOPD Canine Division, quickly tracked Taets to the intersection of Octavia Street and Loyola Avenue. When officers arrived, Taets ran off toward Jefferson Avenue. NOPD immediately set-up a perimeter near the 1900 block of Jefferson Avenue and, out of an abundance of caution, requested the nearby Isidore Newman School institute a lockdown. During the pursuit, Canine officers located Taets in a residential yard in the 1900 block of Octavia Street. Once officers apprehended Taets and secured the scene, the lockdown was discontinued at the school.

Through the course of the investigation, Second District detectives connected Taets to a residential burglary reported September 27 in the 1700 block of State Street.  

Officers arrested Taets and brought him to Central Lockup.

Anyone with information regarding this individual or regarding this incident is asked to contact Second District detectives at 504-658-6020. 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.