Allan Patterson Newman
Serial Killer and Bank Robber
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
TIME PERIOD
1991-1992
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
Allan Patterson Newman, an American serial killer and bank robber, was active from 1991 to 1992, committing four murders and a series of bank robberies across Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. He was apprehended on October 9, 1992, in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, following a multi-state investigation that linked him to the violent crimes. Newman was convicted of four counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and multiple counts of using a handgun during a crime of violence, resulting in a life sentence without parole at Jessup Correctional Institution. He was found dead in his cell on October 7, 2000, under circumstances that remain under investigation. Significant evidence included ballistic matches linking him to the murder scenes and surveillance footage from the bank robberies, which established his modus operandi and aided in his capture.
Allan Patterson Newman is theorized to have been motivated by a combination of rejection and mental instability, particularly following his suicide attempt after a breakup. Some believe his criminal behavior escalated due to unresolved issues from his early relationships, leading to his violent actions during the crime spree. Additionally, there is speculation that his stalking behavior indicated a deep-seated obsession that contributed to his eventual murders.
The Life and Crimes of Allan Patterson Newman
A Descent into Darkness
Allan Patterson Newman, born on February 22, 1951, in Wheaton, Maryland, would etch his name in the annals of American crime history as a notorious serial killer and bank robber. His reign of terror spanned nearly two years, crossing the borders of three states, and leaving a trail of four murders and numerous bank robberies in his wake. His journey ended with his capture in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and his eventual imprisonment at Jessup Correctional Institution, where he was found dead in his cell on October 7, 2000, at the age of 49.
Early Life: The Quiet Before the Storm
Newman's early life remains shrouded in mystery, with little known about the formative years that shaped him. A native of Wheaton, Maryland, he attended Virginia Tech during the 1970s and 1980s. Despite his time there, he failed to obtain a degree and instead made a living as a self-employed house painter. In 1978, after a breakup with a girlfriend, he attempted suicide, shooting himself with a .22 caliber handgun. Later, while working as an insurance claim adjuster, another relationship ended in heartbreak, leading him down a darker path.
Following this breakup, Newman's behavior took a sinister turn. On March 21, 1982, he stalked his former girlfriend and her new partner, breaking into her home armed with butcher knives. When confronted, he attacked them both, stabbing the man multiple times. Although the couple managed to fend him off and call the police, Newman escaped, only to be arrested later and charged with 13 crimes, including attempted murder. His lawyer, Thomas Heeney, argued insanity due to delusions and paranoia. Eventually, as part of a plea bargain, Newman pleaded guilty to two counts of battery, receiving mandatory psychiatric counseling, five years probation, and a restraining order. Despite writing an apology letter expressing a desire to change, his plea for early termination of probation in 1985 was denied.
The Crime Spree Begins
Newman's descent into crime began in earnest on February 20, 1991, when he stole a 1987 Nissan Sentra in Rockville, shooting its owner in the arm. The very next day, he used the stolen car to rob a bank in Fairfax, Virginia. His crime spree escalated on November 13, when he attempted to burglarize an automobile dealership in Silver Spring. Confronted by two maintenance workers, José Escobar and Maura Portillo, Newman shot and killed them with a .357 Magnum before fleeing.
Just twelve days later, Newman carjacked a red Toyota Supra in Rockville and used it to rob a Signet Jewelers bank in Ellicott City. On January 15, 1992, he claimed another victim, José Ramos, during a robbery in a Wheaton parking lot. The violence continued into February when he encountered Dr. Shahin Hashtroudi, a professor at George Washington University, in Bethesda. He shot her in the head and stole her car, which he later used in a bank robbery in Chantilly, Virginia.
Newman's final crime occurred on October 9, 1992. Wearing a ski mask or undergarments to conceal his face, he threatened two teenage girls in Woodlawn, demanding their car. An unexpected encounter with off-duty Baltimore Police Officer Thomas J. Fenwick led to a gunfight, allowing Newman to flee once more.
Capture and Incarceration
The carjacking triggered a high-speed police chase across three states, culminating in two shootouts. Newman crashed his stolen vehicle in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and after a tense 45-minute standoff, he was persuaded to surrender by a group of law enforcement officers, including Corporal John Jeffries and Officer Gary W. Cline. During the standoff, Newman revealed his identity when he asked officers to contact his mother, who confirmed his name and his favorite cookie.
Following his capture, police from Maryland, Virginia, and the FBI investigated Newman's connection to a series of bank robberies and carjackings. A search of his Wheaton apartment revealed crucial evidence, including his blue Chevy Chevette and stacks of newspapers. Forensic tests confirmed the same weapon used in Hashtroudi's murder linked Newman to other killings, including those of Escobar, Portillo, and Ramos.
Despite suspicions, Newman was ultimately cleared in the murders of businessman J. Schuyler Alland and Reynaldo Patdu, as unrelated suspects were later apprehended.
The Final Chapter
Facing irrefutable evidence, Newman struck a plea deal with prosecutors, avoiding the death penalty in exchange for multiple life sentences. He was convicted of four murders and various weapons offenses, receiving five life sentences plus 100 years for using a handgun during violent crimes. He was incarcerated at Jessup Correctional Institution, where he was discovered unconscious in his cell in 2000. Despite efforts to revive him, Newman was pronounced dead, leaving the exact cause of his death unresolved after an investigation.
Sources
For more details, visit the original Wikipedia article: Allan Patterson Newman
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First Recorded Crime
Allan Newman steals a car and shoots the owner.
Double Homicide
Newman kills two maintenance workers at a dealership.
Murder During Robbery
Newman shoots and kills José Ramos in a parking lot.
Murder of Dr. Hashtroudi
Newman kills Dr. Shahin Hashtroudi and steals her car.
Final Crime and Capture
Newman carjacks a vehicle, leading to a police chase and standoff.
Arrest and Investigation
Newman is arrested; police connect him to multiple murders.
Plea Deal
Newman pleads guilty to multiple charges, avoiding death penalty.
Sentencing
Newman receives five life sentences plus additional years.
Death in Prison
Allan Newman is found dead in his cell at Jessup.
Allan Patterson Newman, an American serial killer and bank robber, was active from 1991 to 1992, committing four murders and a series of bank robberies across Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. He was apprehended on October 9, 1992, in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, following a multi-state investigation that linked him to the violent crimes. Newman was convicted of four counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and multiple counts of using a handgun during a crime of violence, resulting in a life sentence without parole at Jessup Correctional Institution. He was found dead in his cell on October 7, 2000, under circumstances that remain under investigation. Significant evidence included ballistic matches linking him to the murder scenes and surveillance footage from the bank robberies, which established his modus operandi and aided in his capture.
Allan Patterson Newman is theorized to have been motivated by a combination of rejection and mental instability, particularly following his suicide attempt after a breakup. Some believe his criminal behavior escalated due to unresolved issues from his early relationships, leading to his violent actions during the crime spree. Additionally, there is speculation that his stalking behavior indicated a deep-seated obsession that contributed to his eventual murders.
The Life and Crimes of Allan Patterson Newman
A Descent into Darkness
Allan Patterson Newman, born on February 22, 1951, in Wheaton, Maryland, would etch his name in the annals of American crime history as a notorious serial killer and bank robber. His reign of terror spanned nearly two years, crossing the borders of three states, and leaving a trail of four murders and numerous bank robberies in his wake. His journey ended with his capture in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and his eventual imprisonment at Jessup Correctional Institution, where he was found dead in his cell on October 7, 2000, at the age of 49.
Early Life: The Quiet Before the Storm
Newman's early life remains shrouded in mystery, with little known about the formative years that shaped him. A native of Wheaton, Maryland, he attended Virginia Tech during the 1970s and 1980s. Despite his time there, he failed to obtain a degree and instead made a living as a self-employed house painter. In 1978, after a breakup with a girlfriend, he attempted suicide, shooting himself with a .22 caliber handgun. Later, while working as an insurance claim adjuster, another relationship ended in heartbreak, leading him down a darker path.
Following this breakup, Newman's behavior took a sinister turn. On March 21, 1982, he stalked his former girlfriend and her new partner, breaking into her home armed with butcher knives. When confronted, he attacked them both, stabbing the man multiple times. Although the couple managed to fend him off and call the police, Newman escaped, only to be arrested later and charged with 13 crimes, including attempted murder. His lawyer, Thomas Heeney, argued insanity due to delusions and paranoia. Eventually, as part of a plea bargain, Newman pleaded guilty to two counts of battery, receiving mandatory psychiatric counseling, five years probation, and a restraining order. Despite writing an apology letter expressing a desire to change, his plea for early termination of probation in 1985 was denied.
The Crime Spree Begins
Newman's descent into crime began in earnest on February 20, 1991, when he stole a 1987 Nissan Sentra in Rockville, shooting its owner in the arm. The very next day, he used the stolen car to rob a bank in Fairfax, Virginia. His crime spree escalated on November 13, when he attempted to burglarize an automobile dealership in Silver Spring. Confronted by two maintenance workers, José Escobar and Maura Portillo, Newman shot and killed them with a .357 Magnum before fleeing.
Just twelve days later, Newman carjacked a red Toyota Supra in Rockville and used it to rob a Signet Jewelers bank in Ellicott City. On January 15, 1992, he claimed another victim, José Ramos, during a robbery in a Wheaton parking lot. The violence continued into February when he encountered Dr. Shahin Hashtroudi, a professor at George Washington University, in Bethesda. He shot her in the head and stole her car, which he later used in a bank robbery in Chantilly, Virginia.
Newman's final crime occurred on October 9, 1992. Wearing a ski mask or undergarments to conceal his face, he threatened two teenage girls in Woodlawn, demanding their car. An unexpected encounter with off-duty Baltimore Police Officer Thomas J. Fenwick led to a gunfight, allowing Newman to flee once more.
Capture and Incarceration
The carjacking triggered a high-speed police chase across three states, culminating in two shootouts. Newman crashed his stolen vehicle in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and after a tense 45-minute standoff, he was persuaded to surrender by a group of law enforcement officers, including Corporal John Jeffries and Officer Gary W. Cline. During the standoff, Newman revealed his identity when he asked officers to contact his mother, who confirmed his name and his favorite cookie.
Following his capture, police from Maryland, Virginia, and the FBI investigated Newman's connection to a series of bank robberies and carjackings. A search of his Wheaton apartment revealed crucial evidence, including his blue Chevy Chevette and stacks of newspapers. Forensic tests confirmed the same weapon used in Hashtroudi's murder linked Newman to other killings, including those of Escobar, Portillo, and Ramos.
Despite suspicions, Newman was ultimately cleared in the murders of businessman J. Schuyler Alland and Reynaldo Patdu, as unrelated suspects were later apprehended.
The Final Chapter
Facing irrefutable evidence, Newman struck a plea deal with prosecutors, avoiding the death penalty in exchange for multiple life sentences. He was convicted of four murders and various weapons offenses, receiving five life sentences plus 100 years for using a handgun during violent crimes. He was incarcerated at Jessup Correctional Institution, where he was discovered unconscious in his cell in 2000. Despite efforts to revive him, Newman was pronounced dead, leaving the exact cause of his death unresolved after an investigation.
Sources
For more details, visit the original Wikipedia article: Allan Patterson Newman
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
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Join the discussion
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First Recorded Crime
Allan Newman steals a car and shoots the owner.
Double Homicide
Newman kills two maintenance workers at a dealership.
Murder During Robbery
Newman shoots and kills José Ramos in a parking lot.
Murder of Dr. Hashtroudi
Newman kills Dr. Shahin Hashtroudi and steals her car.
Final Crime and Capture
Newman carjacks a vehicle, leading to a police chase and standoff.
Arrest and Investigation
Newman is arrested; police connect him to multiple murders.
Plea Deal
Newman pleads guilty to multiple charges, avoiding death penalty.
Sentencing
Newman receives five life sentences plus additional years.
Death in Prison
Allan Newman is found dead in his cell at Jessup.