The Shreveport Police Department’s Violent Crimes and Robbery Investigators launched an investigation into a robbery that took place after a meeting arranged through the Grindr dating application on Monday, June 9.

According to the initial report, the victim met the suspect via Grindr and the two proceeded to a nearby park where they engaged in consensual sexual activity. After the encounter, the suspect exited the vehicle,
approached the driver’s side, brandished a firearm, and demanded that the victim exit the vehicle and
surrender his belongings.

The victim fled the scene on foot while calling for help. The suspect fled in the victim’s vehicle.

Later that same day, officers apprehended the suspect, identified as Cartez C. Thomas, following a high-
speed pursuit in the stolen vehicle. Two firearms were recovered from the vehicle during the traffic stop.
Detectives gathered additional evidence during their investigation directly linking Thomas to the armed
robbery.

Thomas has been formally charged with one count of Armed Robbery with a Firearm and is currently in
custody.

The Shreveport Police Department urges the public to remain cautious when meeting individuals through
online dating platforms and encourages anyone with information related to this case to contact the
department.