NEW ORLEANS — Authorities are warning residents to be aware of their surroundings while pumping gas after four armed robberies or assaults in a 12-hour period in New Orleans East starting Wednesday night.
The New Orleans Police Department says the violent crimes involved a firearm and happened as the victims were either pumping their gas or approaching their cars. The cases happened in the 5200 block of Crowder Blvd., 6000 block of Bullard Ave., and twice near the intersection of Morrison and Lamb roads.
The police department said in each incident the perpetrator was described as a man wearing all black clothing and armed with a gun.
Police believe the spree started around 8 p.m. Wednesday when the suspect carjacked a woman in the 5200 block of Crowder Blvd. Police say just 20 minutes later, a man fitting the same description stole a vehicle that had been left running at the same gas station.
Early Thursday, police say a man fitting the same description tried to steal another car that had been left running at a gas station on Bullard Avenue.
"These are four very quick robberies that happened in a 12-hour period," warned Captain Nick Gernon of the Seventh District.
Police are also reminding residents to never leave keys in their cars while pumping gas or leave vehicles unattended for any period of time.
“Citizens encountering a similar situation are urged to not take action on their own,” the police department said. “They should back away, get to a safe location, and call 911 to report the incident to NOPD.”
Anyone with information about any of the attacks is asked to call the NOPD seventh district detectives at 540-658-6070. They can also report information anonymously to Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.
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