Two Nawlins teens dead ,serial shoplifter sought after chase ends in crash

Two West Jefferson High School students are dead and a serial shoplifter is being sought in connection with a chase that crossed parish lines and ended in a crash on Interstate 610 in New Orleans.

According to the New Orleans Police Department, two 17-year-old girls were killed in the crash after a group of women fled from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Wednesday night after shoplifting merchandise from Lakeside Mall.Just before 7:30 p.m., JPSO deputies were called to a store in Lakeside Mall after a group of women were seen shoplifting merchandise.

An off-duty deputy spotted the suspects fleeing in a red SUV and was able to notify responding JPSO deputies via radio, who followed the suspects as they entered I-10 East.

Deputies spotted the vehicle, and a pursuit was initiated at 7:33 p.m. and lasted less than one minute before being terminated at the direction of a JPSO supervisor.

NOPD identified the driver of the car involved in the chase as Joneaka Smooth.

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Smooth struck a median, launching the car into the air before hitting a 2022 Toyota Camry. As they reached the end of the off-ramp, deputies saw that the suspect vehicle had been involved in the severe crash on St. Bernard Avenue at the end of the ramp. NOPD and New Orleans EMS were notified of the crash and secured the scene. A 17-year-old female in the Toyota was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other victims in the Toyota were transported by EMS to a local hospital for treatment. A second victim, another 17-year-old, died from her injuries in the hospital, according to police. NOPD said the third teenage girl was, at last report, in stable condition.

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Investigators say the passengers of the Mercedes fled the scene, with one being captured by Jefferson Parish deputies.

That 37-year-old woman was then turned over to NOPD for questioning and was later booked by NOPD on a shoplifting warrant from Jefferson Parish.

Two other women in the vehicle, including Smooth, remain at large.

NOPD did not name the suspect who was arrested and turned over to them by JPSO.[img]Smooth has a history of theft in Jefferson Parish with a criminal record dating back to 10 years. She has served three prison sentences for theft, according to online court records. Smooth was also convicted of theft in 2014 and 2015, but details regarding those thefts were not available. NOPD is asking that Smooth turn herself in. Anyone with information is asked to call 504-658-6205 or Crimestoppers anonymously at 504-822-1111[img]Smooth has a history of theft in Jefferson Parish with a criminal record dating back to 10 years. She has served three prison sentences for theft, according to online court records. Smooth was also convicted of theft in 2014 and 2015, but details regarding those thefts were not available. NOPD is asking that Smooth turn herself in. Anyone with information is asked to call 504-658-6205 or Crimestoppers anonymously at 504-822-1111.[/img]
Victimless crime right?