Two Kidnappings, Carjackings and Robberies in Yonkers
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that DIANTE FERNANDES and MARK FRANCIS, both of the Bronx, were arrested in connection with a series of recent carjackings in the Bronx and Yonkers, New York. FERNANDES and FRANCIS had their initial appearance today before United States Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy and were ordered detained.
According to the allegations in the Complaint, and statements made in court:[1]
Between September 26 and 27, 2022, DIANTE FERNANDES and MARK FRANCIS, the defendants, carjacked, robbed, and kidnapped multiple victims, in the Bronx and Yonkers, New York. Once on September 26 and again on September 27, the defendants lured victims to a location in Yonkers using an ad for a used car posted on Facebook Marketplace. When the victims arrived, hoping to buy the car, FERNANDES and FRANCIS forced the victims, at gunpoint, into the car they were considering buying. FERNANDES and FRANCIS then drove around the New York City area, forcing the victims to withdraw money from bank accounts and threatening to kill them if they did not comply. FERNANDES and FRANCIS stole the victims’ money, wallets, and phones. On at least one occasion, FERNANDES and FRANCIS held a victim captive in the car for several hours. FERNANDES and FRANCIS then left the victims on the street and stole the cars the victims had driven to the meeting place.
FERNANDES, 19, and FRANCIS, 18, both of the Bronx, New York, are charged with carjacking, Hobbs Act robbery, kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit these offenses, as well as possessing a firearm during the offenses. If convicted of these offenses, the defendants face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.
Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force and also thanked the Yonkers Police Department, Westchester County Police Department, Westchester County Real Time Crime Center, and the New York City Police Department.
This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Kingdar Prussien and Josiah Pertz are in charge of the prosecution.
