Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted two men of multiple charges in connection with a carjacking, shooting, and ten-mile chase through Newark, Jersey City and Kearny.
Following a jury trial before the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, Emmanuel Pierrevil, 34, of Plainfield was found guilty of ten counts and Jameel Rollins, 32, of Newark was found guilty of eleven counts related to an Oct. 15, 2008 shooting, carjacking and chase that began at 11:40 a.m on Broad Street in Newark behind Technology High School.
Jury selection for the trial started on May 10. The jury deliberated for five days before reaching a verdict.
Assistant Prosecutor Adam B. Wells said the two defendants, riding in a stolen Lexus, fired seven shots at a man in Newark behind Technology High School and took his BMW. Traveling in these two stolen cars the two men took authorities on a chase in which they traveled at speeds exceeding 80 mph through residential streets in Jersey City.
The chase ended for Pierrevil when he crashed the BMW near the Hudson Mall in Jersey City and was captured after a foot chase near several shops. Rollins continued on Routes 1 and 9 through South Kearny and crashed the Lexus into a SUV being driven by a man on the Passaic River Bridge.
On Thursday, a jury convicted both men of conspiracy to commit carjacking, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, eluding police, receiving stolen property, resisting arrest and multiple weapons offenses related to two handguns. Rollins alone was also convicted of aggravated assault in connection with the crash involving the civilian in the SUV on the Passaic River Bridge.
The weapons offenses stem from the fact that the two men were in possession of a .45 caliber Ruger and a .40 caliber Glock.
The jury hung on the more serious charges of carjacking, aggravated assault, attempted murder, attempted kidnapping and a third set of weapons charge involving a gun that was never recovered.
“This was a brazen, violent attack in broad daylight that started near a school and continued through busy streets. These two defendants showed a reckless disregard for the safety and well-being of our community,” Wells said. “We are satisfied with the jury’s verdict.’’
When the two men are sentenced on Sept. 9, they will face extended prison sentences because of their prior convictions. Pierrevil has four prior felony convictions, including a 1992 conviction for aggravated manslaughter. Rollin has five prior felony convictions.
“We will be asking the judge to impose a substantial sentence on these two defendants,’’ said Wells. “These are very violent men who pose a serious threat to the community.’’