2 NJ Men Admit They Carjacked Uber Driver In Newark: Feds

NEWARK, NJ — A pair of men have admitted that they carjacked a woman who worked as an Uber driver at gunpoint in Newark two years ago, authorities announced Monday.

Rakeem McNair, 21, of Roselle, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count each of carjacking and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of the carjacking, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Raquin Tanner, 25, of Newark, pleaded guilty on March 10 to one count of aiding and abetting the carjacking.

Both men entered their guilty pleas by videoconference and remain detained, authorities said.

Prosecutors released the following statement about the incident:

“On Aug. 13, 2019, the victim parked her car, which she used for her work as an Uber driver, on Summer Avenue in Newark. At approximately 11 p.m., the victim was sitting in the driver’s seat when three males approached her car. Video surveillance from the scene showed that Tanner walked with the other two males around the corner. As they neared the victim’s car, Tanner spoke to the other two, then went ahead of them, looked into the passenger seat of the car, an upon seeing the lone female driver, signaled the other two males to begin the carjacking.”

Here's what allegedly happened next, prosecutors said:

“One of the other males pointed a firearm through the driver’s side window, opened the door and attempted to physically remove the victim from the car. A struggle ensued, and McNair went around the car to aid his conspirator in dragging the victim from the car. McNair and the unidentified male threw the victim violently to the ground and drove away with the vehicle.”

According to federal prosecutors, the carjacking count carries a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison. The brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence count is punishable by a mandatory minimum of seven years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, which must run consecutively to any term of imprisonment imposed on any other charges.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 27 for McNair, and July 12 for Tanner.

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