CHALMETTE, La. — The St. Bernard Sheriff's Office is investigating an attempted carjacking and an auto theft involving a small child Tuesday evening in Chalmette.
Deputies responded to a call about an attempted carjacking near Buffon Street and East St. Bernard Highway where victims fled from two male perpetrators driving a silver 2019 Kia SUV.
Deputies received a second call minutes later in reference to a black 2019 Acura TL that was occupied by a small child being stolen outside a business in the 2000 block of Paris Road.
Detectives spotted the Acura traveling at high speeds and followed it into New Orleans East, assuming the child was inside and attempted to make a traffic stop, but both suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.
Deputies found the child, a 6-year-old girl, safely inside the Kia SUV, which had been abandoned in Chalmette. Detectives learned the Kia was listed as stolen out of New Orleans.
The Sheriff said the investigation is ongoing.
"Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is asked to call the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501, the Criminal Investigations Bureau’s tip hotline at (504) 271-TIPS or 8477, or Crimestoppers GNO at (504) 822-1111. Callers to the CIB tip hotline or Crimestoppers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash award from Crimestoppers," the press release said.
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