Zyair Dangerfield-Hill, 24, of Philadelphia, has been sentenced to 199 months in prison and five years of supervised release for his role in an armed carjacking that targeted a 73-year-old man in the Spruce Hill neighborhood of West Philadelphia. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Paul S. Diamond.
Dangerfield-Hill was indicted in July 2021 on charges including carjacking and using a firearm during a crime of violence. He was convicted on both counts at trial earlier this year.
According to evidence presented at trial, the incident occurred just after 3 p.m. on April 21, 2021. The victim was walking his dog and stopped to put something in his parked vehicle when Dangerfield-Hill and an associate approached him with loaded handguns. They demanded his car keys, cell phone, and wallet, threatening to shoot if he did not comply. The victim explained he did not have his wallet or phone but gave them $20 and his car keys. Two additional men then arrived with guns drawn, and all four left the scene in the victim’s vehicle.
The Philadelphia Police Department responded quickly after being alerted to the carjacking. Officers broadcast descriptions of the suspects and vehicle over police radio. About a mile from the scene, officers spotted the stolen car driving erratically before it crashed into metal pillars at 52nd Street and Paschall Avenue. Four individuals fled on foot; Dangerfield-Hill was apprehended shortly after hiding behind a motorcycle several blocks away. Investigators later linked him to the crime through DNA evidence, fingerprints, location data, and other supporting material.
“Dangerfield-Hill participated in the ambush of an innocent stranger in a brazen daylight carjacking, the victim surrounded by assailants pointing guns and shouting threats,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “We will not permit armed criminals to prey on people in this city. We’ll continue to work with our partners to put violent offenders behind bars, where they belong.”
The case was investigated by both the Philadelphia Police Department and the FBI Philadelphia Violent Crimes Task Force. Prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney J. Jeanette Kang and Special Assistant United States Attorney David Weisberg.
