Saints spokesman Greg Bensel has confirmed that New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson, 73, was the victim of attempted car theft last Saturday afternoon.
"I can confirm that an incident did occur in Orleans Parish involving Mrs. Benson while she was in her vehicle," Bensel said.
The statement continued: "While she was very shaken at the time, she was unharmed and is doing fine. She wanted to send her sincere gratitude to the men and women of the New Orleans Police Department that responded so quickly and professionally. We cannot comment further as this is an active investigation."
According to the New Orleans Police Department, Benson was seated in the vehicle when a white truck parked beside her. A subject exited the truck and then entered Benson's vehicle. Benson screamed at the perpetrator to get out of her car, and the subject followed suit, fleeing the scene in his white Nissan Titan.
While unharmed, Benson was "shaken" by the incident. She became the principal owner of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans after the death of her husband, Tom Benson.