Philadelphia Felon Federally Indicted for November 2021 Armed Robbery of City Line Avenue Pharmacy
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Patrick Harrison, 39, of Pottstown, PA, was arrested and charged by Indictment with Hobbs Act robbery; carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence; and being felon in possession of a firearm in connection with a pharmacy robbery in West Philadelphia last year.
The Indictment alleges that in November 2021, the defendant entered a Rite-Aid located at 5040 City Ave, in West Philadelphia. Harrison brandished a firearm and demanded money from store employees. The defendant then allegedly fled the store after stealing approximately $600. The defendant is also charged with illegally possessing a firearm, in this case a loaded Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol, as a previously convicted felon.
“As alleged, this defendant waved a loaded gun in the faces of Rite-Aid employees simply doing their jobs and got away with $600,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “Law enforcement experts have said that the majority of violent crimes committed in and around Philadelphia are perpetrated by a small number of brazen criminals. The charges in this Indictment demonstrate that assertion and are exactly why our All Hands On Deck initiative is committed to investigating and prosecuting those violent, repeat offenders.”
“As the indictment alleges, Harrison recklessly brandished a firearm during this brazen armed robbery, placing everyone in the community in danger,” said Matthew Varisco, Special Agent in charge of ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division. “ATF, along with our local, state, and federal partners will continue to work every day to identify and remove violent criminals who threaten the safety of our citizens.”
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment, five years of supervised release, and a $750,000 fine, and a $300 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Philadelphia Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Eckert.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
