NEW ORLEANS — A bold robbery at a police supply store has the New Orleans Police Department changing how it handles traffic stops. A burglar made off with cop gear – now city police say they’re halting traffic stops by unmarked cars and plainclothes officers.
According to NOPD, the suspect cut wires to the video surveillance system at American Police Equipment on Airline Highway. It happened early Sunday morning, and the suspect stole a blue jacket, sweaters, a pair of boots, gloves, and flashlights. Investigators believed no police insignia items or badges were taken in the burglary.
NOPD says because of the burglary, they're halting traffic stops conducted by plainclothes detectives. Now, only marked cars with uniformed officers inside are allowed to conduct a traffic stop.
Retired NOPD Assistant Superintendent Marlon Defillo says motorists need to be on the lookout. He says until the suspect is caught if you're pulled over, regardless of whether the officer is in uniform or not, you should call 911 and let dispatch know you're being pulled over. Defillo says to put your emergency flashers on and drive to a populated area to stop.
"I believe at some point in time they will use this police equipment for illegal activity," Defillo said,
He says motorists are "Within their full rights not to stop that vehicle."
Defillo says all law enforcement members must carry their badge when on and off duty, and members of the public have the right to ask to see it.
"Every police officer is required to carry their credentials on them at all times," he said. He says American Police Equipment isn't just used by NOPD staff, saying, "If you go there any given time you will see a multitude of police agencies there buying uniform, buying badges, buying name tags, buying new leather gear, buying ballistic vests."
Next door to the police supply stop, staff at Rock N Soil say the business was also broken into. Staff say it happened around 5 a.m. Thursday morning. The alleged suspect smashed a camera, a window, and a video monitor. Staff say nothing was stolen.
WWL Louisiana reached out to NOPD to ask whether the break-in at Rock N Soil is connected to the theft at American Police Equipment, and we are waiting to hear back.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office says they're conducting traffic stops as normal.
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