Message from Chief Serpas

[First District]

NOPD First District Narcotics Squad Take High-Powered Weapons off our
City Streets



New Orleans, LA – Members of the New Orleans Police Department's First
District's Narcotic Squad are continuing to beef up their initiatives
to take high-powered weapons off the streets of New Orleans. The First
District Narcotic's Squad arrested 17-year-old Ben Bailey for illegal
possession of a firearm and possession of stolen property. The
offense occurred on August 9, 2010 in the 2400 block of Saint Phillip
Street.

Serpas said, "This was terrific work on a gun case. I commend both
officers and citizens for a job well done. The combination of
information disseminated from the citizens to the police is what led
to this arrest."

According to investigators, the 911-dispatch center received a call
from a concerned citizen that stated Bailey had weapons inside of a
gold Nissan Maxima with dark tinted windows. Once the officers'
arrived in the 2400 block of Saint Phillip Street, Bailey was observed
inside of the Maxima lying on the back seat. When Bailey saw police
looking at him through the window, Bailey crawled from the back seat
to the trunk area.

As a result of Bailey's evasive and suspicious actions, detectives
opened the trunk, apprehend Bailey, and recovered an AK-47 Assault
Rifle with a 30 round clip and a Glock .40 caliber weapon. The Glock
handgun was found to be stolen through the National Crime Information
Center.

Bailey was arrested for illegal possession of a firearm and possession
of stolen property. Bailey was transported to Central Lock-up and
booked accordingly.

As a result of the laborious work of the First District Narcotics
Squad and our great citizens speaking out against dangerous weapons in
their neighborhoods, this investigation ended in a successful arrest.

Officer Shereese Harper









Officer Shereese R. Harper

Office of Public Affairs/Office of the Superintendent of Police

New Orleans Police Department

(504) 658-5858 Office

(504) 658-5172 Fax

(504) 312-1953 Cell