PHILADELPHIA, PA – Three men are facing federal charges for allegedly carrying out a series of armed carjackings across multiple neighborhoods in Philadelphia this summer.
U.S. Attorney David Metcalf announced that Rasheen Harvey-Fields, 18, Tavon Fry, 20, and Saair Steele, 21, were indicted on charges of conspiring to commit, and committing, multiple carjackings, along with related firearms offenses.
Harvey-Fields and Fry made their first court appearances this week, while Steele appeared last week. All three remain in federal custody.
The indictment alleges the trio worked together from June 25 through July 11 to steal vehicles at gunpoint and use them to commit other crimes, including robbery and aggravated assault.
Defendants accused of using ruse of drug deals to lure victims
According to prosecutors, the defendants sometimes pretended to buy or sell marijuana to set up their victims. In other instances, they targeted individuals as they exited their vehicles.
The superseding indictment lists 11 carjackings across Philadelphia allegedly linked to the group, including incidents on Bouvier Street, West Arizona Street, 60th Street, 55th Street, North 5th Street, West Girard Avenue, West Cumberland Street, and Natrona Street.
Authorities said Harvey-Fields participated in all 11 incidents, while Fry and Steele joined in several of the attacks.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum possible sentence of life in prison.
Investigation led by local and federal agencies
The case was investigated by the Philadelphia Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Branwen McNabb O’Donnell and Shannon Zabel.
All three defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.