Defendant Facing 87 Charges Pleads Not Guilty at Arraignment

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A defendant accused of committing multiple armed robberies, carjacking, and identity thefts in a three year period pleaded not guilty in front of DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on April 4.

Hanif Brown, 18, is charged with 17 counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, 35 counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, 14 counts of robbery while armed, 12 counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle, three counts of first-degree theft, two counts of armed carjacking, conspiracy, first-degree identity theft of a senior citizen, second-degree theft of a senior citizen, felony credit card fraud of a senior citizen, and unarmed carjacking of a senior citizen for his alleged involvement in a series of crimes that occurred between May 11, 2021 and April 2024, including:

A carjacking on March 25, 2023, on the 1800 block of 14th Street NW, where he is alleged to have stolen a white Lexus SUV from a parking lot.
Armed Robbery on March 26, on the 900 block of Westminster Street NW, where he is alleged to have robbed a victim while armed with firearms, stealing his phone, wallet, glasses, and $3,200.
Armed Robbery, and on April 7, 2023, on the 5800 block of South Dakota Avenue, where he is alleged to have robbed a victim of his wallet while armed with firearms.
A carjacking on April 7, 2023, on the intersection of George Avenue NW and Gresham Place NW, where he is alleged to have threatened a victim with a firearm and then stolen the victim’s Mercedes.
Armed Robbery on April 7, 2023, on the 5400 block of Queens Chapel Road, Hyattsville, Maryland, where he allegedly stole a victim’s wallet and cell phone while armed with a firearm.
A carjacking on April 7, 2023, in the Third Street Tunnel, where he allegedly rear-ended a white Jeep Cherokee and then proceeded to steal it from the victim while armed with a firearm.
A car theft on April 9, 2023, on the 5000 block of Jay Street, NE, where he allegedly stole a silver Nissan Maxima.
A carjacking on April 9, 2023, on the 2700 block of 9th Street, NW, where he is alleged to have stolen a white Acura MDX, assaulting the vehicle owner and then stealing the vehicle owner’s credit card.
Armed Robbery on April 9, 2023, on the 1100 block of U Street, NW, where he is alleged to have threatened a victim outside of an ATM machine with a firearm, stealing the victim’s phone, wallet, glasses, and $458.
Armed Robbery on April 9, 2023, on H Street NE and 10th Stree,t NE, where he allegedly stole a victim’s wallet and phone while armed with a firearm.
Armed Robbery on April 9, 2023, on the intersection of 13th Street NW and Wallach Place, NW, where he allegedly robbed three victims of their phones and wallets while armed with a firearm.
A car theft on April 9, 2023, at the intersection of 11th Street NW and U Street, NW, where he allegedly stole a black Jeep Rubicon that was parked.
A carjacking on April 16, 2023, at the intersection of 5th Street NW and Q Street, NW, where he allegedly threatened a victim with a firearm and then stole his Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT.
Armed Robbery on April 19, 2023, on the 5900 block of Georgia Avenue,NW, where he allegedly threatened two victims with firearms and stole their PlayStation.
A car theft on May 3, 2023, on the 600 block of Ingraham Street, NW, where he allegedly stole a white four-door sedan.
Armed Robbery on May 4, 2023, on the 1400 block of U Street, NW, where he allegedly stole two victims’ watches, a necklace, cell phones, and cash.
Armed Robbery on May 6, 2023, on the 900 block of H Street,NE, where he allegedly threatened a victim with a firearm and stole his wallet, phone and $800,

At the hearing, Brown’s attorney, Andrew Ain, announced his client’s decision to plead not guilty on all counts and requested he be released, arguing that no one was seriously injured in these crimes. Furthermore, Brown does not have a prior criminal history.

The prosecution opposed Brown’s release, stating he was being accused of multiple crimes of violence, and insisted he remained a danger to the community. Judge Park decided to detain Brown, citing that much of the physical evidence found was allegedly located in his room and stating it was clear Brown used his home as a base of operations.

Brown’s co-defendant, Deondre Rogers, 18, is currently serving another sentence in Maryland, and Ain stated it would take around 90 days to extradite him from Maryland’s jurisdiction. Judge Park set a status hearing for both defendants to attend on July 23.

Parties are slated to reconvene on May 30.