QUEENS, N.Y. — A fourth individual has been indicted in connection with a violent home invasion in Douglaston in August, during which a family was held hostage at gunpoint. Oneil Thompson, 45, of Cambria Heights, was arraigned on multiple charges, including kidnapping, robbery, and burglary, for his alleged role as the getaway driver, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office.
Thompson was arraigned before Supreme Court Justice Michael Yavinsky on a 41-count indictment, which included charges of seven counts of kidnapping in the second degree, six counts of burglary in the first degree, three counts of robbery in the first degree, and multiple counts of criminal possession of a weapon. Thompson was remanded and ordered to return to court on November 20. If convicted on the top count, he faces a potential maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, three other suspects, Jone Smith and brothers Ryan and Brandon Dash, were previously arraigned last month for allegedly breaking into the home on 247th Street in the early morning of August 17, 2024. The trio, armed with a gun, hammer, and crowbar, reportedly restrained the residents and stole over $20,000 in cash.
“As alleged, this defendant knowingly and willingly participated in a deeply alarming home invasion that resulted in a family being held hostage with a loaded gun and two other weapons,” District Attorney Katz said. She praised a young mother who escaped with her infant through a bathroom window and alerted police.
Investigators stated that surveillance footage captured Thompson arriving at the scene in a large white van, which he later fled in after the robbery. A subsequent search warrant revealed the van was registered to Thompson, and cell site records placed him at the crime scene during the incident. Thompson was apprehended on October 24 at the 111th Precinct by Detective Savvas Tjortjoglou.
During the incident, the three masked men allegedly entered the home at around 2:15 a.m. and awakened two adults at gunpoint. Responding officers rescued four adult hostages and two children after the mother’s escape, and apprehended the three suspects following a manhunt.
Two of the hostages were treated at a local hospital for injuries sustained during the home invasion. The stolen cash and a loaded firearm were recovered at the scene.
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