NOLA police chase ends in car crash in Gentilly | Crime/Police

Louisiana State Police have arrested two suspects after a chase ended in a crash in Gentilly Thursday night, according to a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation.

NOLA force officers pursued the vehicle, a white Audi crossover that had been reported stolen and is linked to several car break-ins in the New Orleans area, but lost sight of it, the source said.

The vehicle then ignored a stop sign on St. Anthony Avenue near Rapides Drive and collided with another car, giving police time to catch up with the suspects.

The two suspected perpetrators – identified by the source as Jaharis Butler, 21, and Justin Wilder, 24 – were taken to University Medical Center for treatment, and the driver of the other car was treated at the scene by paramedics, according to the source. All injuries were reportedly minor.

According to the source, police found weapons and ski masks in the suspect's vehicle.

Surveillance video taken nearby shows the Audi SUV running the stop sign at the intersection at 6:37 p.m., striking a car passing in front of it, causing both vehicles to spin 180 degrees. The SUV struck a power pole on the corner on the passenger side and backed into a nearby house.

Two police officers drove to the intersection, got out of their car with their guns drawn and yelled at the two men in the car to put their hands on the dashboard.

The driver of the other vehicle can be seen limping away from the vehicle behind him.

Within a minute, additional officers arrived and surrounded the vehicle. They eventually pulled the two suspects out of the driver's door, handcuffed them and led them away.

In July, a man was arrested by the NOLA force after a chase in which the suspect drove the wrong way on Interstate 10, resulting in another accident.

Writer Doug MacCash contributed to this report.