Edward Keegan pled guilty to Robbery in the Third Degree for forcibly stealing a woman’s car in a Chester shopping center parking lot.
Defendant to be sentenced to State Prison.
Keegan paid $50,000 to victims in restitution.
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, Edward Keegan, age 34, of Chester, pled guilty in Orange County Court to the felony of Robbery in the Third Degree in connection with a “carjacking” alleged to have occurred on February 21, 2025, at approximately 11:50 AM, at the shopping center located at 78 Brookside Avenue, in the Village of Chester.
After a woman went into a store in the shopping center, leaving her mother in the front passenger seat, Keegan entered the car and attempted to drive it away. The woman who had gone into the store attempted to stop Keegan from driving away in the car with her mother in it by standing in front of the car. Keegan drove the car at the woman, making contact with her as she tried to stop him. The mother was able to get out of the car before Keegan drove away. The car was spotted by a Town of Chester Police Officer in a marked car who tried to pull the car over. Keegan refused to comply and sped away. Keegan was arrested after he crashed the victim’s car on State Route 17 near Exit 130.
Pursuant to a plea agreement placed on the record at the time that Keegan pled guilty, Keegan paid $50,000 in restitution to the victims for damage to the car. The plea agreement stipulates that Keegan will be sentenced to two and one third to seven (2 1/3 to 7) years in state prison and five (5) years post-release supervision, the maximum legally permissible sentence for Robbery in the Third Degree, when he is sentenced on September 2, 2025. The plea agreement was offered after consultation with the victims in the case and in accordance with their wishes.
District Attorney Hoovler commended the Village of Chester Police Department, and members of his staff, who worked tirelessly on the case. District Attorney Hoovler also thanked the Town of Chester Police Department and the New York State Police, who aided in Keegan’s apprehension.
Keegan remains remanded in Orange County Jail until after sentencing, when he will be transferred to state prison.
“I am grateful that no one was more seriously injured in this incident,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “No one could have expected this type of unprovoked violent encounter during a routine shopping trip. I thank the Village of Chester Police Department for their excellent and timely investigation, as well as the Town of Chester Police Department and the New York State Police for their assistance. The prosecution of violent felonies will continue to be an essential priority of my Office.”
The case is being prosecuted by Chief Trial Assistant District Attorney Richard Moran.
This criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
