U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero | U.S. Department of Justice
A Philadelphia man has been sentenced to nine years in prison for committing two armed carjackings within hours of each other. Mason Williams-Surzano, 20, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Karen S. Marston. Following his prison term, he will serve five years of supervised release.
Williams-Surzano pleaded guilty in September to charges related to the carjackings and aiding and abetting the brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence.
The first incident occurred on December 13, 2023, at approximately 6:30 p.m. when Williams-Surzano and three others confronted a victim at gunpoint on Brill Street in Philadelphia. They took the keys to a 2016 Volkswagen Passat and fled the scene. The vehicle was later recovered by police nearby.
The second carjacking happened on December 14, 2023, around 1:10 a.m., involving the same group of assailants. They approached another victim on Sparks Street, again at gunpoint, taking the keys to a 2017 Kia Forte before fleeing.
U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero stated, “Imagine staring down the barrel of a gun as a criminal crew demands your car.” She emphasized that individuals like Williams-Surzano pose a clear danger to the community and highlighted efforts by law enforcement to address such crimes through initiatives like the Philadelphia Carjacking Task Force.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The initiative focuses on fostering trust, supporting community-based violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Philadelphia Police Department. The prosecution team included Assistant United States Attorneys Michael R. Miller and Kwambina I. Coker.