A carjacking victim admitted to having doubts about who he identified to a detective as the person who robbed him before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld on July 2.
Orlin Lemus-Cruz, 22, is charged with armed carjacking, two counts of armed robbery and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a robbery that took place on the 3100 block of Hiatt Place, NW, on March 26, 2025. Two victims sustained assault injuries to their heads.
During questioning from the prosecution through the aid of an interpreter, the victim was asked about the robbery that he and his cousin experienced. He testified that multiple suspects approached him and his cousin outside of a soccer field in Columbia Heights.
The victim recounted that at first it was just two people then “more of them came over, they circled around me and began to hit me.” The prosecution showed a photo of the location and a video of the attack. It was clear that two men approached them first, one of them on a scooter and one on a bike. Then a few other people joined the attack.
The victim testified that the suspects began attacking them after asking if they were affiliated with a gang, injuring his face. The prosecution projected a photo of the witness after being hit in the face. He also testified that his cousin was hit in the back of the head with a firearm.
The victim also recalled stolen items, including a wallet, work permit, ring, phone, and Moncler jacket. He remembered that, “They said if I didn’t give it to them they would kill me,” adding that the jacket was a gift from his cousin. The Moncler jacket is a luxury item which could retail for $2,000. It was presented to the court as an exhibit. The witness recognized unique aspects about the jacket, a broken zipper and the tags on the inside. The robbery ended once people noticed. The witness recalled hearing them say, “Stop it, stop it. Leave them alone.”
Lemus-Cruz’s attorney, Quiana Harris, spent more than 20 minutes questioning the victim’s account of what happened following the incident but he didn’t understand most of Harris’ questions.
The victim was given a chart of nine faces shortly following the incident, according to the prosecution’s direct question, he chose the person in spot number seven – Lemus-Cruz.
For much of the victim’s cross-examination, he remained steadfast that Lemus-Cruz was 100 percent the person who robbed him. Harris attempted to changer the narrative, alleging that the victim told a prosecutor that his 100 percent positive identification wasn’t 100 percent.
Harris finally got the victim to admit he had doubts. However he was still sure that Lemus-Cruz was a part of the incident.
Prior to the victim’s testimony, Harris cross examined the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responding officer. She raised complaints made against the officer, including a pending investigation he wasn’t aware of – including possible use of force and racial bias. She also asked about his knowledge of the consequences for police misconduct.
During the re-direct, the officer said that he “learned to conduct my investigations more thoroughly” and “learned from my mistakes, not to repeat them.”
Parties are slated to reconvene July 7.
