Two men have been indicted in the 2015 murder of a Willingboro man.
SOMERVILLE -- Two Middlesex County men have been indicted in the June 2015 murder of a Willingboro man during an alleged drug deal, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office announced Monday in a news release.
Dashawn Carreker, 23, of New Brunswick, whom authorities believe fired the gun used to kill Francis Vandy, 35, at the Hempstead Garden Apartments on June 30, was indicted on charges of first-degree murder, along with Emendo Hill, 27, of Piscataway, according to the news release.
The two men were among six individuals who were indicted last Thursday on several criminal offenses following a 10-month investigation that involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Middlesex County and Somerset County prosecutor's offices, New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner's Office, New Brunswick Police Department and the North Brunswick Police Department.
Franklin Township police responded to a 9-1-1 call at approximately 8:04 p.m. on June 30 on a report that a man, later identified as Vandy, was shot and now lying in the road. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the news release.
Witnesses reported seeing a dark, four-door vehicle occupied by two man fleeing from the scene. It was later learned that Vandy had allegedly made arrangements to meet with Dashawn Carreker for a marijuana transaction arranged by Derrick Carreker, the release said.
Authorities said Vandy was allegedly shot by Daswhan Carreker after he and Hill had driven to the area to rob Vandy, according to the release.
On July 1, when detectives executed a search warrant on a Berwick Circle residence in North Brunswick, Dashawn Carreker was allegedly observed throwing a handgun as he attempted to flee and hide from officers. A quantity of suspected heroin, cocaine, and paraphernalia was seized by detectives during the execution of the search warrant, according to the release.
As a result of the investigation, other indictments were handed up surrounding a pair of other robberies, it was stated.
On June 24 at approximately 11:20 p.m., Franklin police responded to a Route 27 convenience store on a report of an aggravated assault. The victim, 20, told officers that he allegedly went to the Country Side apartments in the Somerset section of the township to meet with Divendra Bhim on the pretense of buying marijuana, the release said.
At the location, the victim was allegedly approached by Bhim and two other men who proceeded to rob and assault him. The investigation revealed that Bhim reportedly drove Dashawn Carraker and a third man to the apartment complex to sell marijuana to the victim, according to the release.
Once there, the victim was allegedly struck in the head with a handgun. He was transported to an area hospital where he underwent surgery for a broken jaw, according to the release.
On July 8 at approximately 1:22 a.m., New Brunswick police responded to a report of a robbery on Hartwell Street. The victim, 32, told officers that as he arrived home from work and parked his vehicle, two man approached him, pointed guns at him and demanded money, according to the release.
The victim said he was struck on the back of his head with a handgun and had his wallet and personal belongings stolen. The victim reportedly later identified Dashawn Carreker as one of the men who robbed him, it was stated.
The following individuals are listed in the indictments:
* Dashawn Carreker, in addition to being indictment on charges of the first-degree murder, was also indicted for first-degree robbery, second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, second-degree conspiracy, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, second-degree aggravated assault, and third-degree conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance in related incidents. He's being held in Somerset County Jail on $250,000 cash or bond bail.
* Hill, aka "Sport," who was also indicted on charges of first-degree murder, was indicted on first-degree robbery, second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, second-degree conspiracy, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun and third-degree hindering apprehension. He's being held in Somerset County Jail on $150,000 cash or bond bail.
* Bhim, 21, of Franklin, was indicted on first-degree robbery, second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, second-degree aggravated assault, second-degree conspiracy and third-degree conspiracy.
* Darral Black, 48, of North Brunswick, was indicted on second-degree possession with intent to distribute heroin, third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and third-degree possession with intent to distribute an imitation controlled dangerous substance.
* Derrick Carreker, 25, of Somerville, was indicted on third-degree conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.
* Darryl Latney, 23, of North Brunswick, was indicted on third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
The state's case was presented by Acting Chief Assistant Prosecutor W. Brian Stack.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.