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Alonzo Smith was sentenced to 20 years in prison, above the 10- to 15-year guidelines for an incident in February 2023 in the 200 block of High Street, the Baltimore City State's Attorney announced on Friday.
On Feb. 5 last year, a 2022 Honda CRV was taken during the course of an assault minutes before members of the Baltimore Police Department responded to the area, officials said.
The victim parked his vehicle shortly before being approached by Smith and another unknown man, they added. Smith and his accomplice then demanded the victim hand over the keys.
At that point, the man attempted to flee on foot when he was grabbed from behind and struck in the back of his head, according to prosecutors.
The victim was screaming for help and fell to the ground, where he was struck repeatedly by Smith and the other man, leaving him with a fracture on the right side of his face.
Smith stole two iPhones, the vehicle’s key, a polo hat, and a black slingback containing various cards. Witnesses who observed part of the incident told investigators they heard the victim screaming and saw him being assaulted by two suspects.
With an assist rom an Apple Airtag that was inside the Honda, investigators were able to track Smith to 1600 North Bond Street, where they found him "walking away from where the vehicle was parked at a high rate of speed," and he was subsequently stopped.
It was later determined that Smith had an outstanding arrest warrant and was in possession of the victim's stolen possessions at the time he was arrested.
“When we see a defendant repeatedly come through the criminal justice system for victim-based offenses, it is clear that they have no regard for the consequences of their actions or desire to change their behavior,” State’s Attorney Ivan Bates said.
“I applaud (Assistant State's Attorney Noor) Amin for skillfully prosecuting this case and securing a lengthy sentence that is very much deserved for this repeat offender.”
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