RPD: 4 indicted in string of violent successful & attempted robberies & carjackings that included homicide

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The Rochester Police Department Monday announced four Rochester men have been indicted in connection to a homicide and a string of carjackings and robberies that happened back in November.

Police say it started with a robbery on Garson Avenue on Nov. 25, 2021, just before midnight. The victim, a 32-year-old man who was walking down Garson Avenue, told police four men pointed a handgun at him and demanded that he turn over property, and then assaulted him.

Police say Quincy Brumfield, 20, Robert Perdue Jr., 21, James Lee Scott Jr., 19, and Matthew Williams, 32 were indicted by a grand jury for first and second degree robbery charges for that incident.

The 4th suspect is still in the hospital after being shot shortly after the crime spree. Coming up on @news10nbc at 6pm, hear from @RochesterNYPD about the investigation and why these cases are so frustrating. https://t.co/NuaAX4PslN

— Nikki Rudd (@whec_nrudd) March 28, 2022

Nine minutes later, police say the same four suspects tried to carjack a 40-year-old woman who was driving home from work on Grand Avenue. Police say she was shot in the upper body and was rushed to URMC. She has since been released.

Brumfield, Perdue, Scott, and Williams were indicted for one count of second degree assault, one count of first degree attempted robbery, two counts of second degree attempted robbery, and two counts of second degree criminal possession of a weapon for that incident.

Six minutes later, a little after midnight on Nov. 26, 2021, police say the four, armed with handguns, attempted to carjack 23-year-old Davezhone Bratcher and his 31-year-old cousin on Cummings Street as they drove home from Thanksgiving dinner with two other family members, including a 5-year-old.

Police say the victims tried to drive away when they saw the guns, but the suspects opened fire, hitting the driver and Bratcher, who was the front seat passenger. The driver kept going until they reached the hospital. The driver was treated for the gunshot wound and released, but Bratcher died at the hospital.

Brumfield, Perdue, Scott, and Williams have been indicted for two counts of second degree murder, two counts of first degree assault, four counts of first degree attempted robbery, two counts of second degree attempted robbery, and four counts of second degree criminal possession of a weapon for that incident.

Then, about 17 minutes later, police say the four robbed and shot a 32-year-old man in the back as he walked out of the corner store at 509 Portland Ave. and pistol-whipped the woman he was with. The shooting victim has since been released from the hospital according to police.

Brumfield, Perdue, Scott, and Williams have been indicted for one count of first degree attempted robbery, two counts of second degree attempted robbery, two counts of second degree criminal possession of a weapon, and one count of second degree assault for that incident.

Then, just before 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 26, 2021, police say one man robbed a Door Dash delivery driver who was working on the 400 block of Frost Avenue. Police say he took the delivery driver’s vehicle and property, and that the victim sustained a minor laceration.

James Lee Scott Jr. was indicted on one count of first degree robbery and two counts of second degree robbery for that incident.

Just after 11:15 p.m. on 86 Wilder Ter., police say one man tried to rob a 59-year-old woman at knifepoint, but she ran away before he could steal anything from her.

Scott on one count of first degree attempted robbery for that incident.

Police say all four men were found to be in possession of a stolen vehicle on Hawley Street on Nov. 27, 2021, and Brumfield had been shot by "unknown assailants". For that, police say all four were also indicted for fourth degree criminal possession of stolen property.

All have been arraigned on all the charges they are facing, police say. Perdue, Williams and Scott are in the Monroe County Jail awaiting their next court appearance, which police say is yet to be determined. Police say Blumfield is still in the hospital being treated for the gunshot wounds he sustained back in November.

Three of the four suspects have previous convictions.

"When we’re dealing with individuals that are re-offending, that’s always a concern," said Lt. Greg Bello. "While we don’t have a say over probation/parole system, that’s always a concern when violent individuals are re-offending."

Police say on the day they were found in the stolen vehicle, Brumfield was on probation for a robbery and criminal trespass conviction and had two active arrest warrants, Perdue was on probation for a felony drug conviction, and Williams was on parole for a burglary conviction.

Police say Perdue was also arrested in November for criminal possession of a weapon and then released from custody, and then arrested with a loaded handgun in the Town of Greece on Jan. 11 after a domestic dispute. He remained in custody after that arrest, police say.