Two Essex County, N.J., Men Charged In Connection With Stealing Three Cars In One Day

NEWARK, N.J. – Two Essex County, N.J., men appeared in Newark federal court today in connection with charges arising out of three carjackings that occurred on the same day in March 2012 in Essex and Hudson counties, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Louis Holmes, 24, of Newark, is charged in a five-count Complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit carjacking; three counts of theft of a motor vehicle by force, violence, and intimidation; and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Rosendo Perez, 24, of Irvington, is charged in the same Complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit carjacking; one count of theft of a motor vehicle by force, violence, and intimidation; and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Both were already in state custody when they were charged by Complaint on Dec. 20, 2012. They both made their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor in Newark federal court today.

According to the criminal Complaint:

On the afternoon of March 27, 2012, Holmes and Perez approached two individuals who were sitting in a parked 2009 Acura TL in the area of South 17th Street in Newark. Holmes pointed a firearm at the victims, and both Holmes and Perez ordered the victims out of the car. Holmes and Perez then fled the area in the carjacked vehicle.

That night, Holmes accosted an individual who was approaching a parked 2010 Nissan Maxima, in which another individual was sitting. The car was parked in a McDonald’s parking lot on Communipaw Avenue in Jersey City. Holmes pointed a firearm at the victims, demanded the car keys, and ordered one victim out of the car. Holmes then fled the area in the carjacked vehicle.

One hour later, Holmes approached an individual who was standing near a 2008 Nissan Altima in the area of Mt. Pleasant Avenue in Newark. Holmes pointed a firearm at the victim and demanded the car keys. Holmes then fled the area in the carjacked vehicle.