Charlotte County, FL- Around 10pm on December 31, 2019, deputies were dispatched to the Sunoco gas station located at 2483 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte in reference to a gunshot call. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with the victim who advised he was a Lyft driver in the process of picking up a customer near Kenmore Street. While driving down Wardell Avenue, the driver slowed down as he noticed someone standing in the path of his vehicle. As the vehicle approached, the suspect stepped approximately ten feet away and directly in front of his vehicle, while pointing a small semiautomatic pistol at the Lyft driver.
The driver, who originally thought he was being pranked, believed he was being carjacked and proceeded to lower his body and accelerate past the suspect as the suspect fired two rounds at the vehicle. The victim fled to the gas station to safely contact law enforcement. The suspect was described to be 16-19 years of age, approximately 5’07” tall and wearing a charcoal gray hoodie with lighter colored jeans and a white surgical mask over the lower part of his face.
As Crime Scene Technicians processed the vehicle, two projectiles were located inside the interior of the victims vehicle.
Around the same time, a CCSO lieutenant was responding to the area of Newton Street and Wardell Avenue in reference to the reported gunshots, when he noticed someone waving their arms in the roadway in an attempt to get his attention. The lieutenant stopped on Quesada Boulevard with the victim who was just a short distance from the area of the reported gunshots.
The victim advised he was an UBER driver and had just been carjacked by a male wearing a dark blue hoodie, long pants, and a white triangle bandana on his face. The suspect ordered the victim out of his vehicle and then ordered him to empty his pockets. He complied without argument. The victim advised deputies the vehicle was currently traveling south on Kensington Street away from Quesada Avenue and the taillights were still visible.
The lieutenant attempted to stop the suspect in the stolen vehicle by utilizing his emergency lights. The suspect failed to stop and fled at a high rate of speed, misjudged an intersection,and came to a stop in the front yard of a house on Wardell Avenue. The suspect fled on foot through backyards, while discarding the firearm he was carrying in one of them. A perimeter was set, while K9 and aviation were utilized in the search but were ultimately unsuccessful. The vehicle and firearm were processed by Crime Scene Technicians.
Earlier this month, the results of the DNA samples taken from the handgun used in the January carjacking and shooting, revealed to be that of Ally Joseph Genestant, who was also suspected in a November 2019 theft case where a handgun and other items were removed from a locked CCSO agency vehicle. The handgun utilized during these crimes was identified as the personal firearm of a Charlotte County deputy.
“It’s a shame that this young man made the decision to commit these violent acts, but as Sheriff of Charlotte County, it is my job to protect the community and hold all of those who commit these senseless, violent crimes, accountable for their actions”, voiced Sheriff Bill Prummell.
03-06-2003
On the morning of May 8th, 2020 deputies executed a search warrant on the family home of Genestant. Genestant was arrested and interviewed in reference to the New Years Eve crimes. During the interview, Genestant made damaging statements including his intent and participation on the night of December 31, 2019 as well as the theft of the firearm.
Genestant was transported to the Charlotte County Jail and charged with the following:
- Grand Theft of a Firearm, Valued More Than $300 from an Authorized Emergency Vehicle
- Burglary to an Unoccupied Conveyance – Armed
- Shooting into an Unoccupied Conveyance
- Carjacking with Firearm
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