The New Orleans Police Department is searching for suspects they say impersonated police officers to commit armed robberies.
The first incident happened Monday about 11:45 p.m. near Louisa and Stephen Girard in the Gentilly Woods neighborhood.
Police say the suspects used an unmarked vehicle with police style red and blue lights in the front windshield and grille to perform a traffic stop on a victim.
An picture of the suspected vehicle with police lights used in an impersonation of a police officerNOPD
A male suspect wearing an NOPD style mask and neoprene jacket with the NOPD patch on the left chest; exited the passenger side of the fake cop car and approached the victim, police say.
The suspect then asked the victim for his license, insurance and if he had a firearm in the car. The victim gave the suspect his green Taurus handgun.
Picture of one of the suspectsNOPD
A picture of the second suspectNOPD
Police say the impersonator told the victim he had to check the gun’s serial number, but when he returned to the fake police vehicle the suspect and a second suspect driving, sped away with the victim’s gun.
They also say a similar incident was reported approximately 30 minutes.
The second incident happened in the 1700 block North Dorgenois St.
An initial police report says, "Victim was driving when newer model white Ford Explorer with no plate cut him off. Three armed suspects exited the vehicle and identified themselves as police officers. Suspects took victim’s property and fled."
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the pictured vehicle or the subjects is asked to contact Third District detectives at 504-658-6030 or call anonymously to Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 1-877-903-STOP. Citizens may also email information to NOPDTIPS@nola.gov.
