Man Sentenced For Carjacking In Meriden

WEST HAVEN, CT — A West Haven man has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison for his role in a carjacking in Meriden in 2016. Don Meeker, 33, was sentenced Monday to 73 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, U.S. States Attorney for Connecticut John H. Durham announced.

According to the evidence presented during Meeker’s trial, on Jan. 1, 2016, two men from out of state who were driving a rented 2015 Volkswagen Passat were victims of an armed carjacking in the vicinity of Hobart Street and Myrtle Street in Meriden.

“The victims reported that they had asked an individual, later identified as Kyle Valentine, for directions at a gas station,” officials wrote in a news release. “Valentine told the victims to follow a car in which Valentine was a passenger. After traveling a few minutes, the car stopped. Valentine and Elbert Llorrens then exited the car and approached the Passat. Llorens pointed a handgun at one of the victims who was sitting in the passenger seat of the car, opened the door and stated ‘I want everything.’ The victims exited the car and Llorens and Valentine stole their wallets and cellphones and then drove away in the Passat.”

Authorities say Meeker drove the car that the carjacking victims followed and provided the gun to Llorens. After the robbery, Meeker, Llorens and Valentine spilt the money stolen from the victims, according to authorities.

A jury found Meeker guilty in December 2017 of one count of taking a motor vehicle from a person by force and violence or by intimidation.

Llorens and Valentine, both of New Haven, previously pleaded guilty and have been sentenced.