Slidell Man Arrested for Home Invasion and Robbery of a 92-Year-Old WWII Veteran

Slidell Police have arrested 41-year-old, Jonathan Gabriel (Slidell, LA) for the robbery and home invasion of a 92-year-old World War II veteran.

Last Thursday evening, Slidell Police responded to a report of a home invasion inside of a normally quiet Slidell retirement community, Lafittes Landing (900 block of Gause Boulevard West). The 92-year-old victim stated that a person knocked on his front door around 5:45 p.m. When the elderly man opened the door, the suspect brandished a firearm and forced his way into his home robbing him of his cash, medications, and his car keys. The suspect then stole the war veteran’s 2006 black Chevrolet Malibu car, and fled the area.

Nearby surveillance video captured a clear picture of the suspect, which was released to the public on Friday. After releasing the video, tips came pouring in, identifying the suspect as Jonathan Gabriel. Gabriel, who matched the description, was located and arrested for an outstanding child support warrant while detectives continued to investigate the home invasion.

Throughout the weekend, Slidell Police detectives conducted multiple search warrants and were able to locate evidence linking Gabriel to the robbery of the veteran. The victim’s vehicle was also located, abandoned in Lacombe, LA. Throughout the course of the investigation, Slidell Police also discovered that the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office (STPSO) was investigating a similar robbery in the Lacombe, LA area. Gabriel has been positively linked to that incident as well, and is facing separate charges from the STPSO (contact STPSO for more information on their incident).

Monday evening, Slidell Police obtained arrest warrants and booked Gabriel with: Armed Robbery by use of a Firearm, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Theft of a Motor Vehicle.

Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal said, “Anyone who preys on the elderly has no place in our community. This crime was solved due to a collaborative effort by many different people. Good surveillance video from a local business, help from our citizens, and excellent investigative work helped us identify and arrest Jonathan Gabriel. Criminals should take note that our citizens have proved, time and time again, we will not stand for this in or community.”