NOPD Announces Multiple Indictments In String Of Uptown Restaurant Armed Robberies
NEW ORLEANS—Following a months-long, comprehensive investigation by the NOPD, a grand jury returned multiple indictments Wednesday, January 20, 2016, on four individuals for their involvement in a string of armed robberies reported at restaurants in the Uptown neighborhood last year.
Wesley Davis, 19, Jockquaren Van Norman, 20, Dwayne Stevenson, 20, and Nicholas Spiller, 22, all face multiple indictments in the incidents.
“From the very first incident, we made a commitment to use every available resource to track down the suspects responsible for these crimes and bring them to justice, and we did,” said NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison. “Given the initial evidence, this was a difficult case to tackle, but we put together a smart team to get it done and do it right. Our officers worked upwards of 12-16 hours per day to gather intelligence, review surveillance video, interview witnesses, follow every lead, and put together a strong case against these suspects. We will continue to strongly pursue this investigation and we will not stop until everyone responsible is off the street.”
The first incident was reported on August 20, 2015, at Restaurant Patois on Laurel Street. Just before 11:00 p.m., three masked suspects entered the restaurant, produced guns and demanded property from employees and customers inside. The victims complied and the suspects then fled out of the restaurant on foot with cash and property.
The second incident was reported on September 24, 2015, at Atchafalaya Restaurant on Louisiana Avenue. Around 9:45 p.m., two unknown black males approached the restaurant wearing Velcro masks and dark hooded sweatshirts. When the suspects entered the building, they produced handguns and moved through the restaurant demanding property from employees and customers inside. After taking money from the cash register at the bar, the suspects fled the location on foot toward Laurel Street.
The third incident was reported on September 28, 2015, at Monkey Hill Bar on Magazine Street. Around 10:15 p.m., three suspects, wearing gloves, hoodies and masks and armed with handguns made their way into the building. According to the victims, the individuals took cash from the register, money from an upstairs office and wallets and money from the victims themselves. All three suspects fled the area on foot.
No one was injured in any of the incidents.
After presenting the facts and findings, the grand jury returned the following counts on the four individuals:
Wesley Davis (DOB: 6-13-1996)
• One count Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery between August 16 and September 28.
• One count of Armed Robbery at Monkey Hill Bar
• One count of Armed Robbery of Merlin Riley
• One count of Armed Robbery at Patois Restaurant
• One count of Armed Robbery at Atchafalaya Restaurant
Jockquaren Van Norman (DOB: 10-26-95)
• One count Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery between August 16 and September 28.
• One count of Armed Robbery at Monkey Hill Bar
• One count of Armed Robbery at Patois Restaurant
Dwayne Stevenson (DOB: 3-15-95)
• One count Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery between August 16 and September 28.
• One count of Armed Robbery at Monkey Hill Bar
• One count of Armed Robbery of Merlin Riley
• One count of Armed Robbery at Patois Restaurant
• One count of Armed Robbery at Atchafalaya Restaurant
Nicholas Spiller (DOB: 3-7-93)
• One count Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery between August 16 and September 28.
• One count of Armed Robbery at Monkey Hill Bar
• One count of Armed Robbery at Atchafalaya Restaurant
Spiller, Davis and Van Norman are in custody. Stevenson is still at-large.
NOPD reps said Wednesday’s indictments are a direct result of a coordinated and comprehensive investigation by NOPD detectives, members of the FBI New Orleans Violent Crimes Task Force, ATF and the District Attorney’s Office.
FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Jeff Sallet said, "We commend the outstanding efforts of the New Orleans Police Department, the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office as well as the Agents and Task Force Officers assigned to the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force, which led to the arrest and charging of those allegedly responsible for several Uptown restaurant robberies. Through a joint investigation by local, state and federal law enforcement, the city of New Orleans is safer tonight. The officers and agents involved in this investigation worked relentlessly to bring these individuals to justice showing a true dedication to the residents of New Orleans."
The investigation is on-going and detectives believe there may be other suspects involved in the incidents.
Citizens with information that can help solve this crime are asked to call Crimestoppers at 822-1111 or toll-free 1-877-903-STOP.
Watch Chief Harrison announce multiple indictments in 2015 Uptown restaurant armed robberies here.
