Hollywood car dealership employee guilty of carjacking customer

FLORIDA — A federal jury has found a Hollywood car dealership employee guilty of carjacking a customer of the dealership in December 2023.

Erik Hadad, 58, an employee of Guru Auto Sales, was convicted on Oct. 8 after a trial where evidence showed he carjacked a customer who had purchased a 2020 Honda Accord from the dealership. The victim, a 24-year-old Haitian immigrant, faced aggressive actions by Mr Hadad, who resorted to intimidation and violence after the victim fell behind on a payment.

This late payment led the finance company to demand that Guru Auto Sales repurchase the loan, putting pressure on the dealership.

The trial revealed that the victim, a recent immigrant trying to build his life in the United States, had set up autopay for the car loan, but his first payment bounced due to insufficient funds. This triggered a clause requiring Guru Auto Sales to buy back the loan from the finance company, which had provided approximately $13,800 for the car purchase.

The finance company contacted Guru Auto Sales on Dec. 14, 2023, demanding they buy back the loan for about $13,000, leading to the confrontation.

On Dec. 19, 2023, Mr Hadad reportedly took matters into his own hands. Evidence presented at trial revealed he followed the victim in a black BMW as the victim drove his Honda Accord through Miami.

When the victim stopped at a red light, Hadad exited his vehicle in the middle of the intersection, ripped off the temporary paper tag from the victim’s car, and began shouting aggressively, demanding that the victim get out of the car. The victim, terrified by the sudden escalation, managed to drive away when the light turned green, but Mr Hadad pursued him through the streets of Miami, continuing his threats.

Eventually, Hadad is said to have caught up with the victim and, during another heated confrontation, lifted his shirt to reveal a loaded Smith & Wesson pistol holstered in his waistband.

Fearing for his life, the victim surrendered his car keys, and Hadad took the vehicle.

The victim immediately contacted law enforcement, and the Miami-Dade Police Department swiftly responded, locating Mr Hadad and arresting him at the scene. Officers said they found Hadad armed with a loaded firearm during the arrest.

During the trial, prosecutors highlighted Hadad’s disregard for the law and the victim’s rights. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary A. Keller and Brianna Coakley presented evidence showing how Mr Hadad’s actions were not only illegal but also traumatizing for the victim, who was simply trying to fulfill his financial obligations and keep his vehicle.

The victim testified about the fear he felt during the incident, emphasizing how Hadad’s aggression and the presence of a firearm made him fear for his life.

U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore is scheduled to sentence Hadad on Jan. 9, 2025, after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Christopher A. Robinson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Division, made the announcement.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Miami Field Office, with assistance from the Miami-Dade Police Department.