Posted on: October 26, 2024 04:45 PM

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Fourth person indicted for Douglaston home invasion burglary and kidnapping

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that a fourth person has been indicted and arraigned on charges of kidnaping, robbery and burglary following a violent home invasion in Douglaston in August. The defendant, Oneil Thompson, is alleged to have acted as a getaway driver for three men – Jone Smith and brothers Ryan and Brandon Dash – who were indicted and arraigned last month for allegedly strong-arming their way into the residence and holding a family hostage.

District Attorney Katz said: “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. Thanks to the courageous actions of a young mother, who fled the home with her infant to get help, and quick responding police officers, this incident did not end in greater tragedy. All those involved have now been apprehended and face justice in our courts for this attack.”

Thompson, 45, of Cambria Heights was arraigned today before Supreme Court Justice Michael Yavinsky on a 41-count indictment charging him with seven counts of kidnapping in the second degree, six counts of burglary in the first degree, three counts of robbery in the first degree, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, six counts of burglary in the second degree, five counts of robbery in the second degree, five counts of assault in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, grand larceny in the third degree, three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

Thompson was remanded and ordered to return to court November 20. If convicted of the top count, he faces a potential maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.

According to the indictment and investigation, on August 17, 2024, at approximately 2:15 a.m., video surveillance showed three masked men arriving in a large white van driven by Thompson to the home on 247th Street in Douglaston. Thompson stayed behind while Smith, Ryan Dash and Brandon Dash entered the home and awakened two adults at gunpoint. The homeowners were sleeping in the room with their 1-year-old child.

Around 2:30 a.m., video surveillance depicted the white van’s lights flicker on and off and Thompson exiting the driver’s side door, while the three co-defendants remained inside the home.

The trio allegedly physically restrained the occupants of the home and demanded to know the location of any money in the house. One of the men allegedly brandished a gun, while two others displayed a hammer and a crowbar. More than $20,000 in cash was taken from the homeowners.

A mother escaped the home with her infant through a bathroom window and immediately placed a 911 call. Responding police officers determined that three men, as well as four adult hostages and two children, remained inside the house. The masked trio were then seen climbing out of a window.

Police arrested the three men following an extensive manhunt in the vicinity of the house. Two of the hostages were taken to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries. The stolen money and a loaded firearm were recovered after the arrests.

A later search warrant of the white van revealed that the vehicle was registered to Thompson. He allegedly fled the scene and returned to Cambria Heights. After an extensive investigation by the Queens County District Attorney’s Office and New York City Police Department, cell site records placed Thompson in the vicinity during the commission of the crime and showed him communicating with one of the defendants inside of the home. Detective Savvas Tjortjoglou apprehended Thompson on October 24, 2024, at the 111th Precinct.

From Queens DA's Office