Three arrested after police chase in Newark
Veterans Courthouse in Newark (File photo)
Andre Glaspie, 27, Khalif Ford, 23, both of Newark, and Dazhan Goff, 22, of Irvington, each pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree conspiracy and three counts of first-degree armed robbery, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced.
The trio was riding around in a van stolen from an 88-year-old woman early Jan. 16, 2014, when Glaspie and Ford admitted they jumped out and demanded cell phones, cash, pocketbooks and other items from the victims, according to prosecutors. Seven of the eight victims were females and most were going to and from work or school when they were accosted.
Following reports from 911 callers, Newark police identified a gold van as the vehicle used in each holdup. Police said officers chased the van near Bergen Street and Goldsmith Avenue, where Ford and Glaspie were arrested.
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Goff, the van driver, initially escaped but was identified by his fingerprint lifted from the van's driver's side door, according to prosecutors. He was arrested Feb. 7, 2014.
In a plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend a 20-year sentence for the trio.
"The 20-year sentence reflects the seriousness of the crimes. These defendants brazenly ambushed innocent people as they went about their business," Assistant Prosecutor Jason Alterbaum, who handled the case, said in a statement. "Hopefully, the outcome of this case will deter others who might consider engaging in this kind of criminal behavior."
Assistant Prosecutor Casey Breslow, who worked with Alterbaum on the case, thanked the victims for coming forward.
"Their courage is essential to the successful resolution of these kinds of cases," Breslow added.
Glaspie and Ford also pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property for having the van. Goff additionally entered a guilty plea to second-degree eluding police. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 7.
Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.