N.O. cops reported to take Cadillacs from dealership

Times-Picayune ^ | sept 29, 2005 | James Varney

[abb]

Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti's office confirmed Wednesday that it is investigating the alleged looting of a New Orleans car dealership by city police officers.

More than 200 vehicles were taken from the Sewell Cadillac Chevrolet dealership in the Central Business District, and in the most chaotic hours after Hurricane Katrina, some New Orleans Police Department officers reportedly pulled up outside the mobile command center at Harrah's casino in bright, shiny Cadillac SUVs.

The cars allegedly still had "2004" stickers in their windshields and "Sewell" medallions on the back. The fancy rides appeared at a time when a desperate force, having already lost scores of its marked units to floodwaters, was siphoning gas from abandoned vehicles scattered throughout the city, and officers claimed to be operating under emergency orders that allowed them to commandeer necessary supplies. Now, however, that tactic has drawn the attention of investigators.

"Yes, we are investigating although there have been no arrests so far," said Kris Wartelle, a spokeswoman for Foti. "The investigation involves the activities at Sewell of both the New Orleans Police Department and another sort of city official whom I can't identify right now."

NOPD spokesman Capt. Marlon Defillo said the force "welcomes any review" of its actions. At no time did any officer remove a car from the Sewell lot or showroom, he said.

[abb]

And the hits just keep on comin'.....

[zoddent]

If True its soo disgusting that for one of the few times in my life I am at a loss for words. I feel worst for the officers who did not loot, worked their ass off while some of their comrades ran away or were looting and now will be smeared by association.

[Colonial Warrior]

[coconutt2000]

I'm waiting for Democrats to call for the impeachment of the governor.






... still waiting.

(Reference: Abu Ghraib abuses)

[abb]

Pimp my Ride!!!!!!!

[beyond the sea]

The fancy rides

Couldn't find the Mercedes dealership??

[RightOnline]

That's not a city they've been running down there.......


.....it's nothing but one big, go**amned halfway house.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

They were just following Celine Dion's advice: "Let them touch those things just for once!"

[abb]

It ain't even halfway...

[zipp_city]

There had to be a reason why they kept the Feds out, now we know.

[TXBSAFH]

NOLA is the only city I know that will raise the crime rate by putting more police on the street.

[Jhensy]

"They weren't even XLRs or Escalades! Just common CTS's! Haven't these brave men suffered enough? HAVEN'T THEY??!?(sob)..."

[Jackknife]

NOLA is the only city I know that will raise the crime rate by putting more police on the street.

Sad, but true.

[NRA1995]

But they needed them to trade for food and water.....

[SeaBiscuit]

Reporter: How come you took those Cadillacs and drove them to Vegas?

Police: We drove the Cadillacs to Vegas because we know its very dry there and we didn't want the Cadillacs to end up like the buses.

[Rum Tum Tugger]

This is not a new story. It was reported within days of Katrina. At the time, the reporting justified the police action with the excuse that the NO police had lost most of their vehicles to floodwaters and needed the wheels.

Of course, the question needs to be asked: "Where are the Escalades now?"

[Jet Jaguar]

LOL! I would say unbelievable... But, I can't!

[Joe Boucher]

cops in N.O. have been dirty for decades.
Where is the scorn from cops nationwide? Maybe they all are like peas in a pot?

[WestVirginiaRebel]

"Get into those showrooms! Send in a tow truck! Cadillacs are drowning!"

[endthematrix]

Agreed. I'll give them a pass if NOPD cars were out of service. Heck, I'm sure the dealership would be pleased to be of service.

I'd be interested at there take on this. But then we are still begging the question, "Where are the Escalades now?"