Downtown carjacking suspects appear in court; 1 pleads not guilty; $20K cash bond for the other



MILWAUKEE -- Two young men accused in a violent carjacking and attempted carjacking in downtown Milwaukee -- crimes that took place within a 20-minute period, were in court Monday, October 30th.

21-year-old Cazionn Williams appeared for his preliminary hearing. An MPD detective testified, and a motion to dismiss by the defense was denied. Probable cause was found for further proceedings, and Williams was bound over for trial. He has pleaded not guilty. A scheduling conference was set for November 6th.

19-year-old Lamar Smalls was in court for his initial appearance/return on an arrest warrant. Probable cause was found for further proceedings, and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for November 6th. Cash bond was set at $20,000.

Both men face three charges: Two counts of armed robbery as party to a crime, and one count of attempted armed robbery as party to a crime that all took place on October 12th.

Investigators said Williams and Smalls pointed a pistol at man in parking garage near 5th and Michigan. That man ran away with his car keys. From there, police said Williams and Smalls moved on to the Third Ward where they attacked two women getting into their car near Plankinton and St. Paul.

Detective said the suspects punched both women in the head and stole their vehicle. The two men were caught on the surveillance of a nearby gas station walking by.

Williams was arrested Saturday, October 14th after a short police chase in Glendale. According to online jail records, officers arrested Smalls on October 29th.