Automobile Thefts In Mid City & Gentilly Areas - 11-03-2009

[Derek Canatella]

On Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009, two automobile thefts occurred in the
Third District involving vehicles with their keys left either in the
ignition, or nearby in an easily accessible area. The first incident
occurred around 12:50 A.M. in the 200 block of South St. Patrick
Street, during which the victim parked his vehicle in front of his
home, entered his home, but left his house/car keys in the lock of the
home's front door. When the victim returned to where his vehicle was
parked, he found it missing. The vehicle was recovered later the same
evening in the 400 block of South Lopez Street The second incident
occurred around 8:22 P.M. at the Happy Discount Convenience Store,
located at the corner of Franklin Avenue at Dreux Avenue, during which
victim parked her vehicle at the store's gas pumps and went inside the
store, leaving her vehicle's doors unlocked and the keys in the
ignition. While inside the store, the victim looked out the window
and observed her vehicle missing. The vehicle was located shortly
thereafter at the corner of Mirabeau Avenue at St. Roch Avenue, after
it was heavily damaged in a collision.

All citizens are reminded to remove the keys from their vehicle's
ignition and lock all of the vehicle's doors and windows whenever
their vehicle is left unattended for ANY period of time.

If you have any further information on these incidents, please call
the Third District at 658-6030. You may also call Crimestoppers
anonymously at 822-1111.

Remember to report any suspicious persons or activities you see in
your neighborhood by calling 821-2222. In an emergency, call 911
immediately.


Major Greg Elder
Third District
New Orleans Police Department