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 New Orleans Police Department- Public Information Office

NOPD is on the Hunt for a Fleeing Drug Dealer Who Abandoned an Infant with Police

(July 26, 2012)-Today Members of the NOPD’s Second District Task Force observed a black Acura running a stop sign at the intersections of Leonidas and Olive Street. The traffic investigation occurred earlier this evening at around 6:45pm.

Officers stopped the vehicle and made contact with the driver who was identified by his driver’s license as 31-year-old Derrick Robert Kirton. The officers obtained Kirton’s drivers license to issue him a citation, moments afterwards Kirton exited the vehicle and began fleeing on foot leaving his nine month old infant son behind in a rear car seat with officers. The officers did not give immediate chase because they did not want to leave the infant unattended. Officer Walvoord observed a large amount of Heroin in plain view on the driver’s seat during the investigation, it was later learned the Heroin had a street value of over $150,000. Officers were able to locate the mother of the infant and turned the child over to her unharmed.   

Kirton has been previously arrested for Attempted 1^st Degree Murder of a Police Officer, Attempted Second Degree Murder, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Crack Cocaine, Distribution of Heroin, Simple escape, Bringing Contraband into Jail, Possession of Marijuana, Reckless Driving, Hit n run Driving, Driving on a Suspended Driver’s License. Kirton is currently on parole until 2015 for Flight from an Officer and Distribution of Heroin.

When caught Kirton will be charged with Child Desertion and Possession with the intent to Distribute Heroin.

A photograph of Derrick Robert Kirton is attached to this release.

Citizens with information that can help solve this crime are asked to call CRIMESTOPPERS at 822-1111 or toll-free 1-877-903-STOP.  You could receive a cash reward of up to $1,000 for the information leading to the arrest and indictment of the responsible person(s).  You do not have to give your name nor testify to receive the reward. Citizens can also submit an anonymous tip online to Crimestoppers at www.crimestoppersgno.org 

Any person who, after the commission of a felony, shall harbor, conceal, or aid the offender, knowing or having reasonable ground to believe that he has committed the felony, and with the intent that he may avoid or escape from arrest, trial, conviction, or punishment shall be charged with R.S. 14:25; Relative to Accessories After the Fact.

An accessory after the fact may be tried and punished, notwithstanding the fact that the principal felon may not have been arrested, tried, convicted, or amenable to justice.

Whoever becomes an accessory after the fact shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than five years, or both; provided that in no case shall his punishment be greater than one-half of the maximum provided by law for a principal offender.

The New Orleans Police Department, under the leadership of Superintendent Ronal W. Serpas, is engaged in a complete transformation in its approach to ensuring that New Orleans is a safer place to live, work and visit.  The police force, which currently employs dedicated men and women, is committed to transparency, accountability, collaboration and integrity.  To learn more about the NOPD and our services, visit http://www.nola.gov/GOVERNMENT/NOPD and visit us on Facebook at
http//www.facebook.com/pages/New-Orleans-LA/New-Orleans-Police-Department-Official/133853236665761.

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Officer Frank B.Robertson, III,