Cabdriver shot dead in Irish Channel neighborhood of New Orleans

A man about 6 feet tall, who may be in his early 30s, shot a cabdriver in the Irish Channel Friday night in view of a non-functioning crime camera and then hailed a cab several blocks away to leave the scene, police said.

United Cab company driver Arvil Hicks III, 52, of Avondale was shot several times and found dead in his cab shortly after 7 p.m. at 6th and Chippewa streets, near Pete’s Bar.

Michael DeMocker / The Times-PicayuneNew Orleans Police investigate the murder of a cab driver at Sixth and Chippewa under a crime camera residents say does not work on Friday, May 21, 2010.

Police believe the motive for Hicks’ death was robbery — a crime Hicks’ fare allegedly committed a second time shortly afterward.

The suspect, who has dark skin and short hair, hailed a second cab at 6th and Camp streets. At Dufossat and Baronne streets, he robbed the second cabdriver and commandeered his vehicle, said Maj. Robert Bardy, commander of the 6th District.

“The suspect then drove that cab while the driver of the second cab rode in the back seat,” officer Hilal Williams said.

The suspect exited the second cab in Central City at La Salle Street and Washington Avenue and fled, Bardy said.

A functioning crime camera is at that location. Bardy said. Police hope it captured video of the suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 504.822.1111 or toll-free at 1.877.903.7867. Callers do not have to give their names or testify and can earn as much as $2,500 for tips that lead to an indictment.

Hicks appears to have been shot while in his cab, said John Gagliano, chief investigator for the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office.

Hicks was dead at the scene, where New Orleans Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas joined investigators and members of the Crime Lab.

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– Source: Leslie Williams – nola.com