St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office books two New Orleans men in stolen vehicle investigation, issues arrest warrant for third

A New Orleans man was booked after he fled from deputies in a stolen vehicle and struck an officer with the vehicle, St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann said. A second New Orleans man also was booked in connection with the investigation, and an arrest warrant has been issued for a third.

Tyrin Hamilton, 21, of the 9000 block of Bunker Hill Road in New Orleans, was booked with two counts of possession of stolen property and aggravated assault with a motor vehicle upon a police officer.

Maurice Hicks Jr., 19, of the 2900 block of Toledano Street in New Orleans, was booked with two counts of possession of stolen property.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Devonte Smith, 19, of the 9000 block of Bunker Hill Road in New Orleans, for two counts of possession of stolen property.

At approximately 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 26, Sheriff Pohlmann said, deputies were in Arabi investigating a report of a stolen vehicle received through the License Plate Recognition camera system.

When deputies came into contact with the stolen vehicle near the intersection of Judge Perez Drive and Government Street in Arabi, the driver, later identified as Hamilton, sped toward the deputy, striking him with the vehicle.   

As the vehicle sped toward the deputy, he fired at the vehicle, striking Hamilton.

Hamilton was apprehended at the hospital after he was treated and released for non-life threatening injuries, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

The deputy involved in the incident also was transported to the hospital for treatment and was released.  

Sheriff Pohlmann credits the use of LPR camera system technology with the growing number of stolen vehicle apprehensions in St. Bernard. He wants criminals to know he will not tolerate them entering St. Bernard Parish in stolen vehicles and then fleeing from deputies.

“You’re not going to put my citizens at risk and my deputies at risk and not have any consequences. We are going to catch you and we are going to take you to jail. If you try to run over a deputy, you are putting yourself at risk as well.”

Sheriff James Pohlmann