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Cops and federal agents in New Jersey and Pennsylvania have made four arrests in connection with the fatal carjacking of lawyer Dustin Friedland in Short Hills, New Jersey last week, reports News 12.
Friedland was shot in front of his wife when a group of men tried to steal his car outside of a shopping mall. U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman told reporters at a press conference announcing the arrests of the men:
There has been an epidemic of carjackings and so we formed a task force earlier this year combined with federal state, county and local forces and others to stop it and these arrests are a result of this effort.
Whether you live in Essex County—or anywhere in New Jersey—work here, go to school here, or are just passing through, you deserve safety. You shouldn’t have to worry when you get in your car that someone is going to put a gun to your head. That is why we are working so closely with all levels of law enforcement to take these violent offenders off the streets and to make it clear these crimes will not be tolerated.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. The Men Were Arrested in Overnight Raids
The four men have been named as Hanif Thompson, 29, Karif Ford, 31, Basim Henry, 32, and Kevin Roberts, 33. They were all arrested in overnight raids across New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The Daily News reports that suspects were taken into custody early on December 21. Henry was the man who was arrested at a hotel in Easton, Pennsylvania.
Kevin Roberts (Handout)
Karif Ford (Handout)
Hanif Thompson (Handout)
Basim Henry (Handout)
2. Cops Don’t Know Who the Killer is
Widow of NJ mall carjacking victim speaks at his funeral. http://t.co/yydmSfuSHb @NBCNewYork #ShortHillsShooting pic.twitter.com/xlDSkpHBnp
— NewsBellGlobal (@newsbellglobal) December 18, 2013
All of the men are charged with murder and are being held on $2 million bail. Cops have not said who they believe fired the fatal shot. The full charges are murder, felony murder, carjacking, conspiracy, possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose.
3. Friedland Was Targeted For His Car
Friedland’s Range Rover was found 24 hours after the murder near an abandoned house on Renner Avenue in Newark (above). Prosecutors say that Friedland had been targeted as the robbers admired his car.
4. It’s Not Unknown What Leads Cops Following that Led to the Arrests
Friedland’s wife, Jamie, is believed to have been able to identify one of the assailants. Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray told reporters the arrests were made through a “combination of witnesses, statements, technology, old-fashioned police work and putting the pieces together.” A $41,000 reward had been offered for information that led to the men’s arrests.
5. Friedland Was Laid to Rest on December 18
Friedland was shot in the head in a parking garage at the end of a shopping trip with his wife. The couple were married in 2011. His funeral was held last Wednesday.