A carjacking defendant pleaded not guilty before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on Aug. 2.
Dennis Vanison, 29, is charged with armed carjacking and carrying a pistol without a license for his alleged involvement in three carjacking incidents. The first occurred on the 2400 block of Wagner Street, SE on May 2, and the following two occurred on the 3300 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE on May 3.
According to court documents, an individual identified as Vanison and another suspect stole the first victim’s white Chrysler while he was making a DoorDash delivery on May 2. Vanison was not the suspect who pointed the firearm at the victim, according to prosecutors.
The next day, according to court documents, a separate victim called the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) when they found Vanison unresponsive at the wheel of their family vehicle. The driver’s door and trunk were open, and a firearm was on the floorboard.
At the hearing, Jesse Winograd, Vanison’s defense attorney, alerted the court of his intent to plead not guilty to all charges and asserted his constitutional rights, including the right to a speedy trial.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Aug. 14.
