METAIRIE, La. (WGNO) — The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested two 18-year-old men following a police-chase-turned-deputy-involved shooting overnight in Old Metairie.
At 2 a.m. on Oct. 5, deputies learned of a stolen vehicle near the corner of Orpheum Avenue and Avenue E.
They said the suspects were attempting to burglarize cars in the neighborhood, but their first attempt was unsuccessful because deputies soon arrived on scene.
Sheriff Joe Lopinto said one suspect ran away and jumped into the 17th Street Canal. He was later arrested.
Deputies said the driver drove off, leading deputies on a short pursuit before crashing the car at the corner of Metairie Road and Friedrichs Avenue.
Following the crash, the man allegedly exited the car while holding a gun.
“My deputies ended up shooting him, I think several times, but it looks like in the lower extremities at this point,” Lopinto explained. “He’s in stable condition at University Hospital at this point in time.”
Neighbors who live near Avenue E and Orpheum Avenue say they feel safe with Jefferson Parish deputies on patrol.
“I was glad to see that the sheriff was out there with this incident in the middle of the night, and Jefferson Parish [deputies] are just phenomenal, in my opinion,” said homeowner Wayne Miller.
Lopinto says his office is aware the occupants of stolen vehicles out of New Orleans will enter Jefferson Parish with the intent to burglarize.
“Normally, [deputies] do get their man,” Miller said. “I think if f I’m going to commit a crime, it wouldn’t be in Jefferson Parish.”
The unidentified suspects were arrested for attempted vehicle burglary. The driver is also facing one count of aggravated assault upon a peace officer.
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