Carjackers Shot By Lyft Driver Near Philly Zoo Charged: Feds

PHILADELPHIA — Federal authorities have charged two Philadelphia men with armed carjacking crimes after they carjacked a Lyft driver near the Philadelphia Zoo and Please Touch Museum in early January.

United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams said Alex Fernandez-Pena, 32, and Juan Jose Rodriguez, 20, both of Philadelphia, have been charged by Indictment with carjacking and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

The charges stem from an incident that unfolded at about 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 3 on the 1100 block of North 40th Street, less than a mile away from family attractions like the Please Touch Children’s Museum and the Philadelphia Zoo.

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Authorities said Fernandez-Pena and Rodriguez conducted a "bump-and-run" style carjacking.

Philadelphia Police said these incidents are when a vehicle will bump into the victim's, prompting the victim to get out of their vehicle, then another person will get into the victim's vehicle and drive off.

When the driver got out of the vehicle, authorities said Fernandez-Pena pointed a 12-gauge shotgun at the driver, and then drove off with the Lyft vehicle after the passenger got out through a rear door.

However, the driver had a license to carry a firearm and shot Fernandez-Pena before he drove away in the vehicle, authorities said.

The driver also shot Rodriguez after Rodriguez threatened to run the victim over with the Honda he used to instigate the carjacking, according to authorities.

Philadelphia Police took Fernandez-Pena and Rodriguez into custody nearby.

If convicted, Fernandez-Pena and Rodriguez each face a maximum possible sentence of life in prison, as well as a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years’ incarceration.