Teen crashes stolen truck through New Orleans East McDonald’s

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Investigators believe a teenager who crashed a truck through the wall of a McDonald’s in New Orleans East Monday Morning (April 22) was involved in a rash of vehicle burglaries and thefts in St. Bernard Parish, according to the sheriff’s office.

The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office said deputies were chasing a stolen Chevy Silvarado driven by a 15-year-old boy around 10 a.m., when the truck plowed into the building. The boy was arrested by New Orleans police and an arrest warrant was issued for another juvenile believed to be involved with the chase.

The restaurant -- located on the Interstate 10 Service Road near Read Boulevard -- was closed while police investigated the scene. As of 4 p.m., the drive-thru had reopened, but the lobby remained closed.

Henry Coaxum owns the restaurant and said 14 employees and eight customers were inside at the time of the crash, but luckily, no one was in the area the truck hit.

“The reality of it is very unfortunate,” Coaxum said. “From my perspective, it undermines everything we’re trying to do with economic development in our parish and neighboring parishes.”

EMS was on the scene Monday morning and appeared to be treating some victims, however no major injuries were reported.

A portion of Read Boulevard was closed after the crash, but was later reopened.

SPBSO is also looking for the man pictured below, who is wanted in connection with this incident as well as several other car burglaries and thefts that happened Monday morning throughout Chalmette and Meraux.

Copyright 2019 WVUE. All rights reserved.