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NOPD Makes 3 Arrests after Brief Chase; Seizes 5 Guns

(May 10, 2012)-  Fourth District officers arrested 3 men and seized 5 guns last night after residents reported hearing shots fired and then saw a group of armed men getting into a car and taking off.

     Neighbors called 9-1-1 around 7pm last night to say they heard gunfire in the 3400-block of Vespasian Street, and that the men who shot the guns then got into a white car with Mississippi plates. 

   Officers Lindy Collins and George Oliver were patrolling the area, quickly got on the tail of the vehicle, and a brief chase ensued.  During the chase, someone in the white car tossed a 9 millimeter handgun and a pair of pink latex gloves out a window.  Officers recovered both items later in the 2700-block of Behrman Avenue.  Seconds later, 4 men bailed out of the car with the motor still running.  A K-9 that was called to the area apprehended one of the men.  Officers caught up with 2 of the others at Behrman Avenue and Behrman Highway.  One of the men fled to the golf course at Brechtel Park, and was able to escape. 

      The white vehicle was towed to the 4^th district station, where officers found a .45 uzi and a 9mm handgun on the floorboard of the driver’s side, along with black bandanas.  In the backseat, officers found more bandanas, as well as a handgun and a Tech 9 pistol.     

The following arrests were made in the incident:

Woodrow Watts, 18-years-old, was booked with Illegal Use of a Weapon, Possession of a Firearm or Weapon by a Felon and Flight from an Officer.  He was previously arrested for Illegal Use of a Weapon. 

Ronald Smith, 21-years-old, was booked with Illegal Use of a Weapon, Reckless Operation of a Vehicle, Driving Without a License,  Flight from an Officer and a warrant.   Smith was previously arrested for resisting an Officer, Possession of Marijuana and Traffic. 

Dalvin Smith, 19-years-old, was booked with Illegal Use of a Weapon, Possession of a Weapon by a Felon and Flight from an Officer.  He also has two outstanding warrants for Illegal Carrying of a Weapon. 

Smith was previously arrested for Illegal Use of a Weapon, Possession of a Firearm or Weapon by a Felon and Flight from an Officer and warrants.

“This was great police work in every respect.  Our officers tracked down the gunmen in the car immediately after a call was placed to 9-1-1”, said Superintendent Ronal Serpas.  “Again, we appreciate that residents contacted us as quickly as they did, and were able to provide a description of the vehicle.  The arrests of these men and the recovery of these guns most likely prevented serious acts of violence before they happened.”

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Remi Braden

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