State Police conclude “Operation Summer School”

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) -Louisiana State Police committed 10 troopers to the City of New Orleans for “Operation Summer School.”

The operation began June 20 and ended August 27.

According to the report, the primary mission of the enforcement operation was to detect and deter criminal activity in areas of the city that have seen an increase in violent crime.

Troopers focused efforts on identifying and apprehending those violent criminals in order to increase public safety for the communities.

Troopers worked daily with the New Orleans Police Department and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in determining the specific areas that required high visibility, proactive enforcement, according to the report.

The results are as follows:

• 136 arrests which  resulted in 207 non-drug charges and 107 drug charges
• 42 illegally  possessed weapons seized
• 25 stolen vehicle  recoveries
• Nearly $59,000 worth  of illegal narcotics seized
• 213 citations issued
• 100 calls for  service answered
• 200 agency assists  to the New Orleans Police Department

One notable incident was the arrest of 26-year-old Raphael Roche of New Orleans on August 19, 2018. Roche was driving a black 2004 Mercedes and attempted to evade Troopers and subsequently stopped on Abundance St. at Alvar St. He was quickly taken into custody. Troopers found two stolen weapons in Roche’s front pocket, a 50-round drum magazine for a Glock pistol and various narcotics, including marijuana. Roche also had 8 active warrants from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and one warrant from Westwego Police Department. Roche was charged with Aggravated Flight from an Officer, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Firearms by a Convicted Felon, Illegal Possession of Firearms with Controlled Dangerous Substances, Possession of Stolen Property, and various narcotics charges including Intent to Distribute Marijuana.

Another notable incident occurred on August 17, 2018, when Troopers attempted to stop a 2011 Infinity M37 for a traffic violation, however the vehicle fled. LSP Air Support, who was assisting with “Operation Summer School,” was able to maintain visibility on the Infinity. The Infinity became engrossed in traffic at Morrison at I-10 Service Rd. and when Troopers approached, two suspects inside the Infinity fled on foot. Both suspects were quickly apprehended. During the investigation, Troopers determined that the Infinity was stolen and also found a stolen Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol. The two suspects were identified as 17-year-old Shaquelle Carter and 17-year-old Devain Washington, both of New Orleans. They were charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Aggravated Flight from an Officer, Resisting Arrest, Possession of a Stolen Firearm and Obstructing a Highway of Commerce. Through further investigation, communication and partnership, Troopers learned that both of these individuals are persons of interest in several auto thefts and vehicle burglaries currently being investigated by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Louisiana State Police has been working hand-in-hand with the City of New Orleans and the New Orleans Police Department since March 2015. We will continue to develop and implement strategies such as “Operation Summer School” to combat violent crime in New Orleans, while forging productive partnerships with the citizens and our federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

If citizens have information related to criminal activity, they are encouraged to use the “See Something Send Something” application which will connect them and their mobile devices to criminal intelligence centers nationwide. “See Something Send Something” is a nationwide suspicious activity reporting (SAR) tool for citizens to help in the fight against terrorism and criminal activity. Additionally, the free app has information on what to look for and when to submit suspicious activity reports along with how to receive important alerts. The application can be found at My Mobile Witness, Inc. please visit http://www.mymobilewitness.com/consumer-services.php. This system is not intended for emergency situations. For situations requiring an immediate response, call 911 or your local law enforcement directly.

The Louisiana State Police on-line reporting system is also available to the public through a convenient and secure reporting form that is submitted to the appropriate investigators. Citizens can access the form by visiting www.lsp.org and clicking the Suspicious Activity link.

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