Five Suspects Wanted for Carjacking in Snellville

Authorities have arrested three people and are looking for two more in what has been described as a very violent carjacking.

The suspects are facing charges of:

• Carjacking in Georgia
• Aggravated Assault in Georgia
• And Kidnapping in Georgia.

All of the suspects have been reported as under the age of 21. Police stated that the victim was robbed after driving to Snellville to meet with a woman. He was allegedly approached by three men instead. They forced him to get into the trunk of his own vehicle and dropped him off in Rockdale County.

The investigation for this story is still under way. As a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer, I will outline the law behind the offense of carjacking - otherwise known as hijacking a motor vehicle in Georgia.

Hijacking a Motor Vehicle in Georgia

Georgia Law defines hijacking a motor vehicle in Georgia in O.C.G.A. §16-5-44.1 as:

A person commits the offense of hijacking a motor vehicle when such person while in possession of a fireman or weapon obtains a motor vehicle from the person or presence of another by force and violence or intimidation or attempts or conspires to do so.

Hijacking is classified as a felony in Georgia. The penalty for a hijacking a motor vehicle conviction is a prison term for no less than 10 and no more than 20 years and a fine between $10,000.00 and $100,000.00. However, if the accused already has a prior conviction for hijacking, then the consequences are much more severe. In that situation, the penalty would be life in prison and a fine between $100,000.00 and $500,000.00.

Moreover, any prior hijacking conviction does not have to be from a Georgia court; it can be from any other state or country as long as the offense would be considered hijacking in Georgia.

Practice Note

Hijacking a motor vehicle is considered to be a very serious offense in Georgia. If you have been arrested for this offense or any other crime, call our offices now.