Houston police arrest eight from New Orleans

A multilevel gang task force in Houston yesterday announced the arrests of eight hurricane refugees from New Orleans — a group Houston police say is responsible for at least 11 slayings and numerous burglaries and thefts in the metropolitan area since November.

“We’re talking about what appears to be a rivalry between two groups of individuals who were associated with two different housing projects in New Orleans,” Houston police Capt. M.D. Brown told The Washington Times. “Their rivalry began several years ago — certainly prior to Katrina — and carried over to Houston.”

He said the arrests came after “weeks of cooperation with Louisiana police and the FBI.”

Houston’s crime rate spiked noticeably in the final months of 2005, and police officials have attributed much of the increase to lawbreakers who moved to the city after Hurricane Katrina.

The eight men who were arrested, as well as three others who are still being sought, are all between the ages of 20 and 27, according to the Houston Chronicle

The Texas paper identified those in custody as:

• Kalvin Forcell, 21, charged with murder in a shooting Nov. 20.

• Alvin Sims, 20, charged with capital murder in a shooting of two Louisiana men Dec. 31.

• Jason McMaster, 24, charged with aggravated robbery and aggravated kidnapping.

• Cornelius Gordon, 21, charged with engaging in organized crime and possession of a weapon.

• Daryl Robinson, 27, charged with murder in a shooting Dec. 25.

• Tyler Mackyeon, 23, charged with deadly conduct and aggravated robbery.

• James Taylor, 24, charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

• Keith Ron Williams, 20, charged with assault-family violence.

In addition, Houston police pinpointed one of the three men still at large as being “violent and extremely dangerous.” He was identified as Ivroy Harris, 22, known as “B-stupid,” wanted for aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping and suspicion of murder.

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