NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans police are trying to identify two men who stole a 79-year-old man's car while he was feet away. It happened on Thursday, June 22 around 3 p.m. on the corner of Burgundy Street and Ursulines Avenue. Surveillance video captured the entire incident. The stolen car was a 2020 Hyundai Kona bearing Louisiana license plate 698DJG.
"I was going to go pick up my wife a few blocks from here, I tossed her purse and computer in the car, moved the car up a few feet and stepped out to move the trash can," said the victim, who didn't want to be named.
The video shows that as he's moving the trash cans, two men are seen walking his direction down Burgundy.
"When I turned around there was a kid in the car and he just took off down Ursulines toward Rampart," he said.
As one suspect speeds away in the man's car, the other suspect runs down Ursulines and then jumps in the car. The victim was only feet away and left his engine running.
"It was a crime of opportunity and I guess I was a perfect victim," he said.
The man who is from New Orleans and has owned his home in the French Quarter for nine years has never felt unsafe.
"Hope the kids grow up and stop doing this foolishness," he said.
He knew many former juvenile inmates as the victim used to be a teacher in the Orleans Juvenile Detention Center.
"I know a lot of kids in there are good kids, you'd be surprised, things happen that they wound up in jail," he said.
He has not found his car but someone returned his wife's purse.
"Two hours later a couple came by, they had found my wife’s purse near UNO," he said.
He doesn't believe the thieves could have gotten far with his car since his key fab was in his pocket.
"Once it turns off you can't start it again," he said.
While this man was right next to his vehicle, it's another reminder that thieves can act quick so shut off your car even if you are stepping out for only a second.
Anyone with additional information on this incident is urged to contact NOPD Eighth District detectives at 504-658-6080. Those wishing to report information anonymously can do so by calling Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 1-877-903-STOP.