Trio Indicted for Armed Robbery at Parsippany Hotel, Distributing Drugs

Three Essex County residents accused of taking part in an armed robbery and assaulting a victim at a Parsippany hotel were indicted Thursday.

According to dailyrecord.com, Datisha Claiborne, 25, of Orange, Jessica Lane, 25, of Newark, and Zakee Odom, 23 of Newark were each indicted on two counts of robbery, including while armed with a handgun, conspiracy, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon.

In addition, the report said, the trio was indicted with intent to distribute oxycodone, Xanax and heroin. 

The alleged crime occurred at the Sonesta Suites Hotel on March 24, before officers responded at 1:46 p.m. for a report of a robbery. When they arrived, they found the victim who told police that a friend had just left the room and left the door ajar.

When the victim went to close the door, a man wearing a black ski mask forced his way into the room and knocked the hotel guest to the floor, police said. At the point the assailant went through the victim’s pockets and struck him on the head with a handgun before fleeing the room with proceeds, police said.

The victim’s wallet, approximately $300, an iPhone, iPad Mini, and Samsung Tablet were stolen, police said. During the investigation it was learned a Pontiac Grand Am left the hotel at a high rate of speed directly following the crime.

Parsippany Officer Damon Farms was on patrol near New Road when the fleeing vehicle’s description was made known. He then stationed himself near the New Road onramp to Rt. 280 East, and saw a vehicle fitting the description of the Pontiac Grand Am, police said.

Farms stopped the vehicle on Rt. 280 and was assisted by the Montville Police Department, East Hanover Police Department and New Jersey State Police.

When the vehicle was stopped, police found: