Kenner – On July 3, 2022, at 9:00 PM, Kenner Police officers responded to the area of 2300 block of Marietta Street in reference to a vehicle slowly circling the area, leading the caller to believe they were going to burglarize a business. The 2300 block of Marietta Street is an industrialized, warehouse, business area and has been hit hard by recent thefts of catalytic converters.

Officers located the vehicle, which had no license plate, and initiated a traffic stop in the 1900 block of Veterans Boulevard. The vehicle fled east on Interstate 10. One suspect, Essie Toler, 45, New Orleans, jumped from the moving vehicle and attempted to flee, but was quickly apprehended. During the pursuit officers observed a handgun being thrown from the vehicle. The handgun, which was reported stolen out of New Orleans, was recovered by Kenner Police officers.

The pursuit ended at the intersection of North Robertson Street and Franklin Avenue. The driver of the vehicle, Derrick Williams, 33, New Orleans, and the passenger, Lester Haynes 48, New Orleans, were taken into custody without incident. The vehicle had been reported stolen out of New Orleans. A search of the vehicle revealed a reciprocating saw which is commonly used to commit catalytic converter thefts.

Lester Haynes was charged with Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Obstruction of Justice, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of a Certain Felony, Possession of Tools for a Crime and Possession of Marijuana. Haynes has a lengthy criminal history including prior arrest and convictions for armed robbery, carjacking, burglary and illegal possession of stolen things.

Essie Toler was charged with being a Fugitive and Resisting Arrest. Toler has a lengthy criminal history including arrests and convictions for drug possession, simple robbery, motor vehicle theft, aggravated battery, burglary and possession of stolen things.

Derrick Williams was charged with Illegal Possession of Stolen Things, Possession of Tools for a Crime, Obstruction of Justice, Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm and Aggravated Flight. Williams has a lengthy criminal history with arrests and convictions for possession of stolen property, burglary and firearms violations.

Kenner Chief of Police Keith Conley would like to commend the officers for their actions and for the citizens of Kenner to know the Kenner Police Department will continue to proactively fight to keep our city safe and the criminal element out.

Anyone having any information are asked to contact the Kenner Police at (504) 712-2222 or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111.

Crime tips can also be submitted to the Kenner Police Department website: https://www.kennerpd.com/