RICHMOND, Va., -- A Richmond carjacking suspect failed to charge his electronic ankle monitor, according to the Richmond Department of Justice Services (DJS).
Antonio L. Harris, 21, has been arrested and charged in connection to a Friday night carjacking in the 2600 block of Berwyn Street.
Police said the carjacking could be connected to the Saturday afternoon fatal shooting of Sharmar Hill Jr.
The three-year-old boy was playing outside of his Hillside Court apartment when he was killed.
Harris was also arrested and charged for a November 2019 carjacking, according to court documents.
Department of Justice Services confirmed Harris was registered with their Home Electronic Monitoring program after a judge granted him bond. He was released from jail on December 18 to await trial.
Officials said Harris had unauthorized movement from his registered address on Christmas Day and failed to charge the monitor’s battery a day later.
A warrant was then issued for his arrest on December 26. DJS said Harris also missed an appointment with his pre-trial lawyer on December 30th further violating the terms of his program.
Department of Justice Services said it’s the individual’s responsibility to charge their monitor and attend pre-trial services.
Richmond Sheriff’s Office operates a separate service - an Alternative Sentencing Program - out of the Justice Center on Fairfield Way. The program allows individuals the ability to serve their sentence outside of a jail cell if granted by a judge.
“The program is a great program as long as everyone is doing what they’re supposed to be doing,” Sheriff Antionette Irving explained. “But, it’s our responsibility to make sure the checks and balances are being done.”
Irving said deputies have the ability to visit an individual’s home for a low battery or location violation.
“We want to make sure we keep as many people in the community doing what they need to do, being family, and working as we possibly can,” Irving said. “This program does that.”
Harris is currently being held in jail without bond.
A jury trial for the November carjacking charge is scheduled for June 17.
