Pair Charged In 4 Robberies, 2 Shootings In Jersey City

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Two people were arrested and face several charges following one night in November that included four robberies and two shootings.

Rodney Williams, 29, of Jersey City, and Siobhan Chandler, 19, of Newark, are each charged by complaint with conspiring to rob, and robbing, four businesses and shooting two people in Jersey City. Williams is additionally charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.

According to court documents, on Nov. 14, Williams and Chandler committed four commercial robberies and two shootings within about 70 minutes. Around 8:10 p.m., Williams entered Store-1, placed a gun on the clerk’s chest and threatened to kill the clerk. Williams continued pointing the gun at the clerk, while directing the clerk to give him all of Store-1’s money, according to the Department of Justice. Williams ran off after the clerk complied.

About 35 minutes later, Williams and Chandler approached a gas station together. Chandler tried to enter the gas station’s attendant booth. After noticing that Chandler couldn't get in, Williams pointed the gun at an attendant and demanded money. The attendant did not comply. Williams shot the attendant in the chest and said, “do you think I am f—king playing with you? Give me the money!” Williams then pointed the firearm at the other attendant and threatened to shoot, as the attendant escaped to the attendant booth and locked the door, according to the DOJ. Williams followed the attendant and tried to force his way inside the booth, as Chandler waited for Williams near the entrance of the gas station. After he could not enter the booth, Williams ran toward Chandler and they ran off.

About 15 minutes later, Williams and Chandler entered a second store. Williams pointed the gun at the clerk and demanded the store's money. As Williams held the clerk at gunpoint, Chandler emerged from the aisle and stood near Williams and the clerk gave Williams money from the cash register, according to the DOJ.

Ten minutes later, Williams and Chandler entered a restaurant. Williams immediately approached the clerk at the register, pointed the gun at the clerk’s chest and demanded money, according to the DOJ. The clerk, believing Williams’ demand was not serious, failed to immediately respond to Williams’ demand. Williams attempted to shoot the clerk, but the gun misfired. Williams then re-cocked the gun and shot the clerk in the chest, according to the DOJ. Williams then forcibly entered the restaurant’s kitchen and demanded money from the employees. Chandler remained at the doorway and ordered one employee out of the restaurant and barred a patron from entering the restaurant. As Williams forced the wounded clerk to empty cash from the register, Chandler yelled, “Let’s go! Let’s go!"

Around 9:20 p.m., Jersey City Police Department officers saw the pair in a care near the restaurant. Once they saw police, Williams drove the car into oncoming traffic, hitting a police car and rendering his car inoperable. The officers immediately apprehended the pair.

Williams and Chandler are subject to a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for each charge of robbery and a maximum potential penalty of life in prison and a fine of $250,000 for each charge of possessing, carrying or using a firearm during a crime of violence. Williams is further subject to a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for the charge of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.