Two South Deering men have been charged in connection with the carjacking that shocked the Beverly neighborhood on November 2nd.
The suspects, Damarri Conner, 20, and Kenneth Merritt, 26, were identified as the individuals responsible for taking a car and personal belongings at gunpoint from a mother and daughter on the 9300 block of South Pleasant Avenue.
Conner is facing charges of aggravated vehicular hijacking, armed robbery, and resisting police officers, while Merritt is charged with aggravated vehicular hijacking and armed robbery.
The victims, a mother and daughter, were confronted by the two suspects as they exited their car. The men brandished guns, forcibly took the car keys, and fled the scene in the stolen vehicle. Fortunately, neither of the victims sustained any injuries, according to the police.
Additionally, the family’s second vehicle was stolen ahead of the recent arrest of Conner and Merritt. However, the police were able to recover the vehicle shortly after it was taken.
Conner and Merritt were apprehended on separate blocks, and at the moment, they are only facing charges related to the November 2nd theft.
Local Alderman Matt O’Shea praised the police carjacking task force for their swift action and expressed the community’s readiness to support the victims throughout the legal process.
Both suspects are scheduled to appear for a detention hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Thursday.
