The federal charges have been brought against Kenneth “Kenny Mac” Merritt and Damarri “Marri” Conner in connection with a violent carjacking incident that took place on November 2, 2023. The two men are accused of using a firearm during the commission of the crime, as well as carjacking, according to court records.
The incident occurred in the 9300 block of South Pleasant when two men entered the back yard of a family’s home as a woman and her daughter returned from the girl’s sports practice. The men knocked the woman to the ground, stole her purse, and threatened her with a gun. When the woman’s husband came out of the house, he was also robbed at gunpoint.
The entire ordeal was captured on video, showing the violent nature of the crime. The men then fled the scene in the family’s Audi after debating which car to take. Days later, another car was stolen from the family’s home, possibly with the keys taken by the robbers.
In a detention petition filed last year, it was revealed that Conner threatened to shoot the victims, grabbed one of them by the neck, and was caught on video using their credit cards. Clothes worn during the robbery were found in his bedroom, and he was on bail for a felony gun charge at the time of the crime.
Merritt was identified by Chicago police from surveillance footage using the stolen credit card at a BP station. He was wearing the same clothes as during the robbery and carjacking. He admitted to taking a bus to the scene of the crime, and CTA surveillance video supported his claim. Merritt had been on parole since July 2021 after serving time for previous robberies and firearm possession charges.
The carjackings that Merritt was previously charged with occurred in 2016 in Old Town and Lincoln Park. While initially charged as aggravated carjackings, he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in a plea deal.
The investigation into this violent crime is ongoing, with federal charges now being brought against Merritt and Conner. The community is eager for justice to be served in this case, and the victims are hopeful for a resolution that brings closure to this traumatic experience.
