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Omar Hernandez, 21, of Hyattsville, pleaded guilty this week to robbing a taxi or rideshare driver in three separate incidents, and has been sentenced to 35 years in prison with all but 10 years suspended, according to the Prince George's County State's Attorney's Office.
The robberies were reported between Dec. 12, 2022, and Jan. 3, 2023, in the Hyattsville area.
In the first incident, prosecutors say that the driver picked up two men to take them to the 2400 block of Lyndon Street, where Hernandez asked if she had change for a $100 bill.
As she was checking, Hernandez reached from the backseat, choked her, and demanded money. The driver, fearing for her life, gave the men her purse with $600 inside.
Days later on Dec. 16, 2022, a second female taxi driver told police she was robbed by two men on Merrimac Drive after Hernandez grabbed her and held a pocketknife to her neck, while the second pointed a handgun at her.
In that instance, both men fled with $1,500 in cash and other items.
On Jan. 3, 2023, police in Prince George's County were called to investigate a reported carjacking on 14th Avenue.
According to investigators, as the taxi driver was taking Hernandez and another man to their destination, they tried to rob him. During the struggle, the victim said that Hernandez attempted to shoot him, while the second man displayed a knife.
They made off with $300.
"This is a very serious case," Assistant State's Attorney Maso Hamilton said. "The indictments were traumatic for these victims who were simply doing their job to put food on the table and support their families."
Hernandez pleaded guilty this week to two robbery charges and use of a handgun in commission of a crime of violence.
"It's really unfortunate for these hardworking, law-abiding individuals were terrorized by Hernandez," State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy said. "(He) targeted and preyed upon these individuals, instilling fear not only in his direct victims, but also casting a shadow of terror over the entire community throughout this calculated robbery scheme.
"I firmly believe we have successfully delivered justice for these innocent victims in this case, and Hernandez has accepted responsibility for his actions."
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