Carjacking suspect arrested on Monday, prompting evacuation of the New Orleans supermarket

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – An armed carjacking suspect was chased into a New Orleans convenience store Monday night (Oct. 28), leading to a brief evacuation of customers while NOPD officers made an arrest.

The arrested suspect was identified as Joel Lee Miller, who turned 38 on Sunday. The NOPD did not immediately detail the allegations behind his arrest.

According to police, Miller attempted to carjack a victim near the intersection of O’Keefe Avenue and Girod Street around 7:40 p.m. The victim fled to safety and called police, while Miller allegedly fled and threw a firearm somewhere in the 600 block of Girod. Street, according to witnesses.

The NOPD said Miller encountered the Rouses Market at 701 Baronne St., where pursuing officers found him and took him into custody. No injuries have been reported.

Customers and staff were evacuated from the Rouses during the chase, but workers were allowed back in shortly before 9 p.m.

Court records show this is Miller’s sixth arrest in Orleans Parish since 2004. He has prior convictions for aggravated assault, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and possession with intent to distribute heroin.

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