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By
Treva Robaidek
- June 18, 2025
Carjacking
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Daily Stories
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Suspects
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After hearing arguments and evidence in a carjacking, DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld found probable cause to move forward with the case and detain the defendant in a hearing on June 16.
Rashad Ricks is charged with unarmed carjacking and destruction of property less than $1000 for his alleged involvement in an incident that occurred on May 20 at the Hard Rock Cafe on the 900 block of E Street, NW.
According to court documents, Ricks was observed acting erratically before approaching the victim’s vehicle and forcing the victim out of her car. After failing to put the vehicle into gear, Ricks exited the vehicle and entered the nearby Hard Rock Cafe, where he allegedly flipped a table.
During the hearing, prosecutors called on the officer who responded to the scene and arrested Ricks. He provided an in-court identification of Ricks, and testified he wrote down the victim’s statement in which she claimed the suspect was “acting erratically” and moving toward her vehicle before forcing himself into her car.
In collecting additional statements, the officer claimed that witnesses in the restaurant stated that the suspect was screaming and flipping tables there. According to the officer, witnesses claimed the suspect was removed from the restaurant and detained before the officer was able to arrive on the scene and arrest Ricks. Following the arrest, the complainant positively identified Ricks as the suspect.
Varsha Govindaraju, Ricks’ attorney, presented arguments against a probable cause finding, arguing that due to Ricks’ erratic behavior he was mentally incapable of commiting the crime. Govindaraju also argued that the prosecution lacked evidence for the destruction of property charge, since restaurant witnesses stated on body-camera footage that Ricks was actually not flipping tables.
Judge Hertzfeld ruled that the evidence in the case was sufficient to establish probable cause.
The prosecution argued in favor of holding Ricks pre-trial, citing that he was in violation of supervised release conditions at the time of the incident, faced serious previous charges, tested positive for cocaine and PCP, and involved a pregnant woman in the incident.
Govindaraju argued in favor of releasing Ricks on GPS monitoring and while getting substance use treatment, with the alternative of bed-to-bed treatment at a secure facility. Govindaraju noted Ricks’ ongoing cognitive issues stemming from his involvement in a serious car accident.
Citing the defendant’s violation of supervised release at the time of the incident, Judge Hertzfeld denied Ricks’ release.
Parties are slated to reconvene June 27.