Four Baton Rouge men have been arrested on charges of armed robbery in New Orleans after forcibly taking a wallet from a victim in the French Quarter.
Police report that one man and three suspected accomplices approached the victims at the corner of Dauphine Street and Ursulines Avenue around midnight when the victims were trying to catch a cab. The suspects pointed a semiautomatic handgun at the victims and ordered them to hand over their valuables. The suspects took one victim’s wallet and left the scene in a silver-colored vehicle. One victim noted the license plate of the car. They are being brought up on felony charges.
The victims called police immediately and gave the car’s license plate number. Police then stopped the getaway car on Decatur Street. The police found all four men and two handguns in the car.
The four men that were arrested face several felony charges. One has been charged with one count of armed robbery and two counts of attempted armed robbery. The other three men have each been charged with one count of armed robbery. Three of the four men have criminal records that include convictions for both weapons and drug offenses.
Armed robbery charges must be taken seriously. A criminal conviction can result in serious penalties with long-term consequences. Under our judicial system, however, no one is guilty of a crime until it has been proven in court. In cases of robbery, there are often few witnesses who can help the state prove the identity of a suspect, which can weaken a criminal case. Moreover, other factors such as violation of constitutional rights and evidence from surveillance cameras can be challenged and possibly lead to the dismissal of criminal charges. Any suspect charged with a crime should therefore build a strong criminal defense to challenge the accusation and have charges dismissed or reduced.
Source: nola.com, “NOPD captures 4 accused of French Quarter armed robbery,” Nov.25, 2012