Posted on 11/12/2005 1:25:48 PM PST by 1riot1ranger
Police this morning arrested a former New Orleans police officer believed to have deserted the force during the hurricane crisis, officials said.
The unidentified man, who was driving a stolen car, was pulled over during some kind of traffic stop in the 10300 block of the North Freeway around 11 a.m., said Sgt. Nate McDuell.
When approached by police, the man, who had a firearm, identified himself as a New Orleans police officer, McDuell said.
Authorities learned, however, that the man was no longer an officer for the New Orleans Police Department because he had quit his job in lieu of being fired for failing to serve his duties during the hurricane crisis, police said.
McDuell said police plan to charge the man with unauthorized use of a vehicle, impersonating a police officer and possibly some kind of weapons charges.
OMG!
Or Caddy.
Caddy would probably be more likely. Unless they are all in Mexico now.
Flashing the badge is a tradition among Police Officers, but I guess flashing a New Orleans police badge doesnt work so well any more.
The denizens of the Huntsville unit are gonna LOVE this one. UCW (unlawfully carrying a weapon) alone will get him 5 years.
He should immmediately be deported to Louisiana.
Wonder if he was driving one of these.
http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/wwl102505arrests.38eaafa.html
The cars taken from the dealership included 88 new Cadillacs and Chevrolets, 40 used cars, 52 customers' cars and a restored 1970 El Camino and 1966 Impala.
Nov. 13, 2005, 1:35AM
Ex-New Orleans officer faces charges
He was driving a stolen pickup and said he was still on active duty, HPD says
By PAIGE HEWITT
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
A former New Orleans police officer who abandoned his duty during the Katrina crisis and subsequently resigned was arrested Saturday morning by Houston police while driving a stolen truck, officials said.
Felony charges against Willie Earl Bickham, 39, were expected to include unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and impersonating a police officer, for claiming to still be serving on the New Orleans police force, Houston police Sgt. Nate McDuell said.
Bickham, who has family in Houston, could also face weapons charges, as he had in his possession a pistol issued by the New Orleans police department, McDuell said.
Bickham was northbound at about 80 mph in the 10300 block of the North Freeway around 11 a.m. Saturday when he was pulled over for speeding.
The officer who made the stop noticed the black, 2005 Chevrolet truck had no license plates and that the car dealer's name marked on the truck was that of a New Orleans dealership that had reported several vehicles stolen during the Katrina crisis, McDuell said.
Bickham claimed he was a New Orleans officer and was cooperative and "spoke candidly" when questioned, said Houston police Sgt. Dave Thomas.
Bickham, who did not have registration records for the truck, conceded that he did not have permission to be driving the pickup, said Thomas, who did not release details on how Bickham obtained the truck. Throughout the stop, Bickham maintained he was still on active duty, and had worked in that capacity as recently as last week, Davis said.
New Orleans officials, however, told Houston police that Bickham resigned in early September to avoid being fired for abandoning his duties during the Katrina crisis, police said.
The New Orleans Police Department could pursue other charges, officials said.
This article is: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/3457253
OMG!
---Gotta agree with you.
Willie EARL Bickham, LOL.
http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/metro/index.ssf?/base/news-11/1131867481223350.xml
Houston police noticed the black 2005 Chevrolet pickup truck, which was marked with the Sewell dealership's name, did not have license plates. Police were also suspicious of the registration information provided by Bickham. When police consulted computerized records, they learned the truck was listed stolen after Katrina.
"Wonder if the stolen car was one of the NOPD vehicles!"
It was most definitely stolen - saw the truck on the news last night and it was obvious the truck had not had its PDI (pre-delivery inspection) yet. Too many manufacture markings on it - a sign it wasn't even "road ready" yet. This guy had definitely just helped himself to a brand new vehicle.
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