Several alleged members of the "Bleedas" gang accused of robbing ATM technicians have been charged with multiple violent crimes, including a rare enhancement for participating in gangs, authorities said.Â
A grand jury charged six Bleedas affiliates — George Applewhite, Brandon Fleming, Nepton Hatfield, Hubert Jackson, Tremaine Lindsey and Quendez Vancourt — on various charges, including three counts of armed robbery with a firearm, one count of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and obstruction of justice, according to a news release from District Attorney Hillar Moore.Â
All charges include a criminal street gang enhancement, which alleges the defendants "committed these crimes in furtherance of the Bleedas organization," according to the release.
Hatfield was charged separately with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of a machine gun and possession of a firearm while in the possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
Woodbridge was charged separately on two counts of possession of a machine gun, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm while in the possession of a controlled dangerous substance.Â
Ïã¸ÛÁùºÍ¿ª½±ÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ police began an investigation with the East Ïã¸ÛÁùºÍ¿ª½±ÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ Sheriff's Office as a result of armed robberies of two ATM repair technicians in December 2023 and January 2024. Upon further investigation, police believed the robberies and other illegal activity in the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÍ¿ª½±ÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ area were committed by members of the Bleedas organization, the release says.Â
In a statement, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome thanked law enforcement officers and prosecutors, saying they "worked together to apprehend violent actors and take them off our streets and out of our neighborhoods."
Police Chief Thomas Morse said in a statement Thursday that the department used "every tool" at its disposal in bringing charges against the accused and will continue to do so in future gang-related cases.
"The Ïã¸ÛÁùºÍ¿ª½±ÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ Police Department will continue efforts in proactive and intelligence-driven policing, spearheaded by our Uniform Patrol and Special Investigation units," Morse said.
