WHITE PLAINS, NY — Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced that Andre Jones, 23, of 506 Locust Street, Mount Vernon, New York was arraigned today on a seventeen count indictment charging him with one count of Kidnapping in the Second Degree, a class “B” Felony, three counts of Robbery in the First Degree, class “B” Felonies, three counts of Attempted Robbery in the First Degree, class “C” Felonies, three counts of Robbery in the Second Degree, class “C” Felonies three counts of Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree, class “D” Felonies, one count of Unlawful Imprisonment in the First Degree, a class “E” Felony, three counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, class “E” Felonies, relating to the abduction and robbery of Ricardo Panton.
On April 9, 2013, shortly after midnight the victim drove two friends to a market on W. 1st Street, in Mount Vernon New York. He parked the car in front of the store and remained in the car while his friends went inside the store.
As he waited, the victim was approached by two males, one of whom was later identified by the victim as Andre Jones and the other an unapprehended male.
The defendant, acting in concert with the unapprehended male, displayed what appeared to be a firearm and pointed it at the victim. He then got into the front passenger seat and the other male got into the back. The defendant told the victim, in sum and substance, that he, the victim, must have money, since he drove a Lexus.
They ordered the victim, at gunpoint, to go to various JP Morgan Chase Bank ATMs and take out money out. The victim, upon the orders of the defendant and the unapprehended male, drove to the various locations throughout Mount Vernon and New Rochelle.
Although he had just been paid, the funds would not clear until the morning. At that point, the defendant, acting in concert with the unapprehended individual, tied up the victim and put him in the trunk of the car. They drove around with him for a period of time, and finally took him out, only to renew their orders for him to withdraw money from the ATMs.
The victim was finally able to access the funds and gave the defendants approximately $1,000.00. After approximately 8 hours of being held prisoner and repeatedly threatened, the defendant let the victim go taking his cell phone and social security card.
On April 15, 2013, the defendant was positively identified by the victim in a photo array.
After questioning by Mount Vernon detectives, the defendant was placed under arrest.
“Being accosted, imprisoned and driven around all night with a gun pointed at one’s head is the true definition of a nightmare. The victim’s presence of mind and common sense actions likely saved his life and aided Mount Vernon detectives in identifying the defendant leading to his arrest,” said District Attorney Janet DiFiore.
Bail was set at $350,000 cash or bond.
His next court date is November 27th, 2013.
He faces a maximum sentence of twenty five years in state prison.
Assistant District Attorney Paula Branca Santos of the Superior Court Trial Division is prosecuting the case.