Detectives say masked intruders pried through a drive-thru window, ripped out registers and tried to saw into a safe.
NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans police are investigating a burglary at a Popeyes on Gentilly Boulevard after a masked crew forced its way through the drive-thru window late Thursday, hauled out cash registers and attempted to breach a safe before speeding away.
The case gained traction after surveillance footage circulated citywide on Friday, showing the crew’s entry and movements inside the restaurant. Police said the video, pulled from several cameras, offers a look at the suspects’ clothing and a waiting sedan believed to be the getaway car. Detectives are using the footage to map the group’s path and estimate how long they were inside. As of Saturday morning, no arrests had been announced and investigators had not confirmed whether any money or equipment was taken.
In a brief update, the department said the burglars “smashed through the drive-thru window” to get into the closed restaurant. Another angle shows individuals yanking registers from wall mounts and dragging them across the floor. Police said the group also “tried to break into the store’s safe using a saw,” leaving cuts and metal shavings near the back office. The suspects wore masks and dark clothing. The video appears to show at least three males arriving in a sedan moments before the break-in.
Detectives are canvassing Gentilly Boulevard for additional cameras, including nearby businesses and traffic points that might have captured the car’s route before and after the burglary. Investigators are also checking automated readers for a plate match. Police declined to release a detailed description of the suspects, citing the early stage of the investigation and the limited clarity of the initial footage. Restaurant managers are conducting an inventory to determine whether cash drawers or electronics were damaged beyond repair.
Property crime often flares on holiday nights when storefronts are closed and staff is reduced. Restaurants along the corridor have added more exterior lighting and cameras in recent years, and businesses commonly remove or empty drawers after closing. Even so, police say crews target quick-entry points such as drive-thru portals and side doors, using compact tools that let them move in and out within minutes. The Popeyes break-in fits that pattern: fast access, focus on registers and a rush to the safe.
Police said district detectives are leading the case with support from crime analysts who will prepare still images for distribution if clearer frames are found. If officers identify suspects, expected charges include simple burglary and criminal damage to property. Officials said they plan to provide another briefing when the video review is complete and the business finalizes its loss report. Any future public release would include time stamps, vehicle details and the direction of travel along Gentilly Boulevard.
On Friday afternoon, plywood covered the broken drive-thru window while workers cleaned up glass. “We’re just trying to get everything back in order,” a restaurant employee said by phone, declining to give a name. A nearby shopkeeper described the footage as “brazen,” adding that the crew seemed to know where the registers and safe were located.
As of Saturday, the investigation remained open with no suspects named. Police said the next update could come after additional camera checks along the corridor and a review of license plate reader hits gathered over the weekend.
Author note: Last updated November 29, 2025.