Shoe Shine Scammer Arrested by NOPD French Quarter Task Force Officers

NEW ORLEANS – Eighth District officers quickly arrested Jerome Matthews (DOB: 07-06-1978) after he robbed a victim by running a shoe shine scam in the 600 block of Decatur Street. The incident happened on January 11, 2017. At around 11:52 a.m., a male and female victim were walking in the area when they were approached by Matthews and an unknown female suspect. The victims told police that the female suspect placed carnival beads around the female victim's neck and Matthews placed lotion on the male victim's shoes and started cleaning them. The victim then told police that Matthews reportedly placed his arms around the male victim demanding that he give him money for shining his shoes. The male victim told police that Matthews escorted them to a nearby store to get money out of the ATM. The victim told police he feared for his safety and withdrew forty dollars. The male victim told police Matthews then snatched the cash from his hands and fled the location. The male victim said he then flagged down a French Quarter Task Force officer who was patrolling in the area. Eighth officers were able to assist and locate Matthews at the intersection Decatur and Wilkinson based on the description from the victims; however, officers are still searching for the female suspect involved in this incident. Jerome Matthews has a history of running shoe shine scams in the Eighth District. He currently has more five outstanding municipal attachments for missing court on solicitation charges. If you have any other information on this suspect or suspects, please contact any Eighth District detective at 658-6080.

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