Habitual offender released early due to the Justice Reinvestment - FOX 8, WVUE, fox8live.com, weather, app, news, saints

Kenner police say a habitual offender was released early from the Department of Corrections due to Act 280 of the Louisiana Justice Reinvestment Act, and committed an armed robbery just five days after his release.    

Tyrone “Smokey” White, 24, was released on parole from the Department of Corrections last week. 

White had pleaded guilty in 2014 to four counts of simple burglary and received a 12-year sentence. 

On Tuesday, police say White approached two individuals trying to complete some roofing work on a residence in Kenner. 

As the two victims exited their vehicle, they saw White standing in front of a residence. 

The first victim began to unload a work truck and prepare for the job. The man walked toward a ladder that the second victim used to access the roof. 

As he walked to the ladder, police say White was standing on the opposite side holding a black handgun in his hand. 

White pointed the handgun at the victim, and robbed him.

White then ordered the victim to instruct the second victim to come down from the roof. 

The first victim complied and told the second victim in Spanish to come down from the roof, but to leave his wallet.

After the second victim came down the ladder, White also attempted to rob the second him but realized he did not have any money, at which time he fled the scene west on 27th Street. 

Kenner police officers and detectives spoke to witnesses who said that they had seen White in the neighborhood just days prior, pulling on car door handles in the neighborhood. 

Witnesses also said the suspect’s name was “Smokey,” with a last name of White. 

Tyrone “Smokey” White was known to the Kenner Police Department due to a large amount of arrests for simple burglary.   

On Thursday members of the Jefferson District Probation and Parole located White and detained him. 

According to Kenner police, a search warrant was executed at White’s home which led to the recovery of a black handgun (bb gun) and clothing consistent to what was described by victims and witnesses in this armed robbery investigation. 

White was charged with the crimes of armed robbery and attempted armed robbery. White remains in custody, and no bond has been set.

In Jefferson Parish alone White has a 40-page criminal history, according to the report. 

He has been arrested and charged with the crimes of illegal carrying of weapons, criminal trespassing, resisting an officer, illegal possession of a stolen hand gun, and 64 counts of simple burglary. 

White first pled guilty to multiple counts of simple burglary, received a suspended 3-year-sentence and placed on active probation in 2011, according to the report. 

While on probation, White offended again and was arrested on additional burglaries he committed, and subsequently pled guilty to 4 separate counts of simple burglary, in which he received a sentence of 6 years hard labor in 2012. 

White again, was re-arrested on other simple burglary charges, and pled guilty again to four additional counts of simple burglary, in which he received a sentence of 12-years hard labor, as of 2014. 

Since White’s 2014 convictions, he remained in custody until November 2nd when he was paroled under the recent Louisiana Justice Reinvestment Reforms.   

Kenner Police Chief Michael J. Glaser urges anyone with information concerning this armed robbery or Tyrone “Smokey” White to call Kenner Police Detective Aaron Savoie at (504) 712-2301, or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111. 

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