Plea Deal Reached In Brazen Chester Shopping Plaza Carjacking: DA

CHESTER, NY — A local man has pleaded guilty to third-degree robbery for carjacking a vehicle at a local shopping center in February while an elderly woman sat in the passenger seat.

Edward Keegan, 34, of Chester, entered the plea Wednesday in Orange County Court, the Orange County District Attorney’s office announced Friday.

Under the terms of a plea agreement, Keegan is expected to be sentenced Sept. 2 to up to seven years in state prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler said the plea agreement was reached after consulting with the victims.

The carjacking happened shortly before noon on Feb. 21, 2025 at the shopping plaza at 78 Brookside Ave.

The car’s female driver went into a store in the shopping center, and she left her elderly mother behind in the front passenger seat.

Keegan then entered the car and attempted to drive it away, according to the district attorney’s office.

The woman who had gone into the store tried to stop Keegan by standing in front of the vehicle. Prosecutors said Keegan drove the car at the woman, making contact with her. The mother was able to get out of the car safely before Keegan drove away.

Hoovler said he is “grateful” no one was more seriously injured.

After Keegan fled, a Chester police officer saw the car and tried to pull it over. Keegan refused to comply and sped away, then crashed the victim’s car on State Route 17 near Exit 130, according to the district attorney’s office.

Keegan has paid $50,000 in restitution to the victims for damage to the car he stole, prosecutors said.

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Chester Man Indicted In Brazen Shopping Plaza Carjacking: DA