Summer
March 21st, 2009, 08:55 AM
http://www.wdsu.com/news/18974904/detail.html
Police have arrested Darrius Clipps, a one-year veteran of the force, in connection with three assaults in the Mid-City area. He has been charged with two counts of aggravated battery, two counts of aggravated burglary and one count of sexual battery, Police Superintendent Warren Riley said.
"The community should be alarmed by this, and highly disappointed, just like we are," Riley said. "We want to assure the public that this is a highly unusual circumstance."
Detectives have said a man dressed in a dark blue uniform-like shirt was knocking on doors and entering homes. In at least two of the cases, he asked victims -- men and women -- to take off their clothes. He also demanded drugs and money.
Riley said in one case, Clipps fondled one of the women who disrobed.
The victims in the cases provided enough information for police to generate a sketch of the attacker. Other police officers told detectives they believed the person in the sketch to be Clipps, Riley said.
In addition, one of the witnesses who had been out of town said he remembered seeing the badge number 765, Riley said. That number is assigned to Clipps, Riley said.
Riley said people can call police headquarters to find out whether officers have legitimately been sent to their homes. They can also ask to see official NOPD credentials, which will have Riley's signature and a hologram.
Police have arrested Darrius Clipps, a one-year veteran of the force, in connection with three assaults in the Mid-City area. He has been charged with two counts of aggravated battery, two counts of aggravated burglary and one count of sexual battery, Police Superintendent Warren Riley said.
"The community should be alarmed by this, and highly disappointed, just like we are," Riley said. "We want to assure the public that this is a highly unusual circumstance."
Detectives have said a man dressed in a dark blue uniform-like shirt was knocking on doors and entering homes. In at least two of the cases, he asked victims -- men and women -- to take off their clothes. He also demanded drugs and money.
Riley said in one case, Clipps fondled one of the women who disrobed.
The victims in the cases provided enough information for police to generate a sketch of the attacker. Other police officers told detectives they believed the person in the sketch to be Clipps, Riley said.
In addition, one of the witnesses who had been out of town said he remembered seeing the badge number 765, Riley said. That number is assigned to Clipps, Riley said.
Riley said people can call police headquarters to find out whether officers have legitimately been sent to their homes. They can also ask to see official NOPD credentials, which will have Riley's signature and a hologram.