NASHVILLE – A Huntsville, Alabama man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Nashville, Tennessee, following a violent carjacking and robbery spree last summer, announced U.S. Attorney Mark H. Wildasin for the Middle District of Tennessee.
The indictment returned yesterday charges Antonio Carvelle Pitts, 20, with two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, two counts of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and transportation of a stolen vehicle in interstate commerce.
According to the indictment and other records filed with the Court, on June 24, 2021, Pitts flagged down an individual in Memphis, Tenn., and asked for a ride. Pitts later pulled a knife and threatened to kill the individual and forced him from the car, before fleeing with the man’s car.
On June 27, 2021, Pitts approached a woman in a church parking lot in Huntsville, Alabama, pointed a “long gun” at her and took her Lexus SUV. Later, on the same day, Pitts entered a Subway restaurant in Fairview, Tenn., with the “long gun” and robbed the store of all the money in the cash register, before fleeing in the Lexus SUV.
Approximately 45 minutes later, Pitts approached the drive-thru window of the McDonald’s restaurant in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., and pointed a black shotgun at the drive-thru worker. Pitts then reached through the window and took the cash from the register.
After the Hurricane Mills robbery and within the next hour, Pitts robbed the McDonald’s on Highway 22 North in Henderson County, Tenn., using the same method at the drive-thru window, and still driving the Lexus SUV.
Shortly after this robbery, the Tennessee Highway Patrol and Madison County Sheriff’s deputies began pursuing Pitts in the Lexus, eventually ramming, and immobilizing the vehicle before taking Pitts into custody.
If convicted, Pitts faces a mandatory minimum of seven years in prison on each count of brandishing a firearm, and up to life in prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Brantley is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a Court of Law.
# # # # #