Two Newark men admitted today that they carried out two armed carjackings and one attempted carjacking during a five-day span in September 2013, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Dion Hines, 23, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden in Newark federal court to a four-count information charging him with attempted carjacking, carjacking (two counts), and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
Roosevelt Robinson, 25, pleaded guilty to a three-count information charging him with attempted carjacking, carjacking, and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
At 10:30 p.m. on Sept. 22, 2013, Hines, Robinson, and another male conspirator approached a Mercedes Benz sedan that was parked in a residential driveway in Newark. Hines brandished a silver revolver and ordered the driver to get out of the vehicle. Hines, Robinson, and the other conspirator pulled on the driver’s side door, but the victim resisted. Robinson said: “Shoot that [expletive].” The victim eventually got out of the Mercedes Benz and Robinson sat in the driver’s seat.
After Hines and the other conspirator fled on foot, the victim pulled Robinson from the Mercedes Benz, got back into the vehicle and reversed the car. Hines returned and fired two shots at the Mercedes Benz, striking the rear driver side door. Hines, Robinson, and the other conspirator then ran down the block and jumped into a car waiting nearby. The victim pursued them in the Mercedes Benz, striking both the getaway car and Robinson before Robinson entered the vehicle. A car chase ensued, during which Hines fired two additional shots at the Mercedes Benz.
At 9:25 p.m. on Sept. 26, 2013, Hines approached a vehicle parked in a lot near a Newark residence. After the driver exited the vehicle, Hines pointed a black revolver and stated: “Give me your car keys or I’ll shoot.” Around this time, another victim, who had just parked a late-model Acura sedan in the parking lot, walked over to where Hines and the other victim were standing. Hines then pointed the revolver at owner of the Acura and demanded the car keys. The owner of the Acura complied and Hines got into the car and fled.
At 4:45 a.m. on Sept. 27, 2013, a dark-colored SUV driven by an unknown person pulled in front of a Range Rover stopped at an intersection in Belleville, New Jersey, blocking the Range Rover’s path. Hines jumped out of the passenger side of the dark-colored SUV and pointed a black handgun at the victim. Robinson, who followed the dark-colored SUV in a separate vehicle, pulled over and stood watch. Hines approached the driver’s door, pulled the victim out of the vehicle, and demanded the car keys. The victim complied, and Hines then got into the Range Rover and fled, followed by the dark-colored SUV and Robinson’s vehicle.
At 2:20 p.m. that day, law enforcement located the Range Rover in Newark. A brief car chase ensued, during which the Range Rover rammed multiple police vehicles before getting trapped and stopping. Law enforcement officers surrounded the Range Rover with their guns drawn. Hines and Robinson both exited the Range Rover and ran. Law enforcement officers arrested them shortly thereafter. The third occupant was taken into custody immediately. After arresting the three men, law enforcement officers searched the Range Rover and discovered a loaded black revolver in the vehicle.
The carjacking and attempted carjacking counts to which Hines and Robinson pleaded guilty each carry a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.
The count of using a firearm during a crime of violence to which they pleaded guilty carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison, a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing for Hines is scheduled for Jan. 11, 2017, and for Robinson, Jan. 12, 2017.