Slidell teens robbed by 'fake' officers

St. Tammany News

Two men posing as undercover police officers robbed three Slidell teenagers Wednesday night, making off with one of the boy's wallet.

According to Slidell Police spokesman Capt. Kevin Foltz, the three teens were leaving the Texas Roadhouse parking lot at 854 E. I-10 Service Road, when a white Ford F-150 pickup truck with a strobe light stopped their car.

Two men jumped out of the truck and ordered the youths, ages 16, 17, and 18, to get out of their car and place their hands on the vehicle.

One of the victims asked the robbers for identification or a badge. The robbers told the boys they were undercover and working for the "NABC," according to the victims' statements. Foltz said he has never heard of a NABC law enforcement agency.

The fake policemen searched the boys, got back into their truck and fled the scene. The victims said there was a white female who sat in the truck during the incident. The boys could not identify the female.

As they were returning to their car, the 17-year-old victim realized his wallet was missing. He called 911 and later told police officers his wallet had $80 in cash, his driver's license and a Visa debit card.

The victims describe their assailants as white males. One was wearing a New Orleans Saints hat and windbreaker. The other suspect is described as between 5 feet 5 inches and 5 feet 7 inches tall, heavy set with a mullet hair cut. He was wearing a black hat, blue jeans and a black Harley-Davidson Biketoberfest T-shirt.

None of the victims were injured during the incident, Foltz said.

Slidell Police Chief Freddie Drennan warned residents to always be alert when approached by persons claiming to be police officers.

"First, cooperate, and ask for identification, and for a uniformed officer to come to the scene," Drennan said. "At no time should you resist. Remember what the subject looked like, and if possible the license plate of the vehicle, and please call 911."

Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident is urged to call Detective Stan Rabalais at 646-4347 or 643-3131.