Federal authorities have filed new criminal charges against Northeast Philadelphia’s two accused serial pharmacy robbers.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrested Edward Schaeffer and William Webb on Nov. 20 for robbery and firearms violations.
The new charges against Schaeffer, 29, whose home address was not disclosed, stem from the armed robbery of a Rite Aid in Glenolden, Pa., on Sept. 4. During the crime, he threatened an employee with a handgun and stole prescription drugs, the ATF said.
An affidavit prepared by the ATF states that Schaeffer admitted to the Sept. 4 heist when questioned by federal agents following his Nov. 12 arrest by Philadelphia police. Schaeffer further admitted to involvement in three other pharmacy robberies in the city and claimed that William A. Webb, 50, of the 6700 block of Torresdale Ave., served as a getaway driver during the robberies.
In a separate interrogation by ATF agents, Webb allegedly admitted to serving as Schaeffer’s getaway driver for a Nov. 12 armed robbery of a Rite Aid at 8130 Roosevelt Blvd. After that heist, the suspects allegedly drove to Webb’s home, where police arrested them.
Additionally, the Philadelphia district attorney has charged Schaeffer and Webb each with 16 counts of robbery and related offenses for crimes dating back to last December, most of which occurred in the Northeast. A preliminary hearing was postponed on Wednesday as the prosecutor was anticipating federal authorities to adopt the case. ••
