Surveillance images show the man suspected of starting a Sunday morning fire that laid waste to a strip mall on the corner of South Carrollton and Olive. NOPD is searching for the suspect who is facing charges aggrevated business burglary and negligent arson.
The wanted subject used a stolen black Mazda pickup to smash the front of the MetroPCS store just before 8:30 am Sunday. He then stole numerous items from the store and fled. After the crash, the vehicle caught fire and subsequently ignited the building, which housed three businesses. MetroPCS, Wash-n-Dry Laundromat, and Flavor Street Wear all sustained significant fire, smoke and structural damage.
NOPD describes the suspect male as having medium length dreadlocks. He was wearing a white and black long sleeve shirt, dark pants, light-colored beanie with orange or brown fuzzy pom on top, dark-colored flip flop sandals, white socks and a black-colored backpack.
NOPD is asking anyone with information about the incident, or identity and whereabouts of the suspect, to contact Second District detectives at 504-658-6020 or call Crimestoppers anonymously at 504-822-1111 and toll-free at 1-877-903-7867.