Residents Urged To Attend Accused Beverly Carjackers Arraignment

CHICAGO — Residents are encouraged to attend the arraignment of two men charged in the brutal carjacking last month in Beverly. Damarri Conner, 20, and Kenneth Merritt, 26, this Friday at the Bridgeview Courthouse, 10220 S. 76th Ave. The two will appear at 9 a.m. in room 109 before Judge Thomas J. Hennelly.

“I am asking all available residents to join me tomorrow morning in support of the victims and to send a strong message about the need for accountability and justice,” Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th) said.

Conner and Merritt are facing felony charges of aggravated vehicular hijacking with a firearm, and two felony counts of robbery with a firearm. Both were denied pretrial release following a detention hearing last month.

On Nov. 2, in the 9300 block of South Pleasant Avenue, Chicago police said a 46-year-old woman and her 12-year-old daughter returned home about 8:45 p.m. and were exiting their car when approached by two men, later identified as Conner and Merritt.

Doorbell-camera video captured the pair shoving the woman to the ground and holding a gun on her as they grabbed her car keys to her 2012 Audi and belongings.

The two are alleged to have returned the next week, using key fobs stolen from the first incident and taking the family’s second vehicle, a Range Rover.

“The disturbing circumstances of this case have garnered national attention; even more frustrating is the extensive criminal backgrounds of both defendants,” O’Shea said. “The revolving door for violent offenders must be closed if we hope to address our public safety crisis.”