United States Attorney Jacqueline Romero announced that Michael Malcolm, 26, was sentenced to 185 months’ imprisonment, five years of supervised release and $300 restitution by U.S. District Court Judge Gerald Pappert for robbing two Northeast stores at gunpoint.
On Feb. 7, 2023, Malcolm pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of attempted Hobbs Act robbery and one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. The charges stem from two armed robberies he committed within a matter of minutes on Oct. 5, 2021.
At about 8:06 p.m. that evening, Malcolm entered Illadelph by All in One Smoke Shop at 14230 Bustleton Ave. He asked the clerk for cigarillo wraps and handed over money to pay for them. When the clerk opened the register, Malcolm produced a gun, racked the slide, pointed the weapon at the clerk and demanded money. After the clerk gave him about $300 from the register, Malcolm fled the store.
About 10 minutes later, Malcolm went to Somerton Beverage, located at 13510 Bustleton Ave., about two-tenths of a mile from the smoke shop he’d just robbed. Malcolm entered the store, selected a beer for purchase and gave money to the clerk. When the clerk didn’t open the register, Malcolm produced his firearm. The clerk yelled, “He got a gun,” and Malcolm fled the store with the beer.
Shortly after the Somerton Beverage robbery, two officers with the Philadelphia Police Department observed Malcolm standing on the corner at 13501 Bustleton Ave. When the officers attempted to stop him, he fled. After a short foot chase, Malcolm was arrested. When police officers searched Malcolm, they recovered a loaded 9mm handgun. Officers also seized Malcolm’s jacket, which matched the jacket described by the robbery victims that night.
“Anyone willing to rob a total stranger at gunpoint, let alone try it twice in a matter of minutes, is an obvious threat to our community,” Romero said. “The victim clerks in this case were on the job, just trying to make a living, when someone who’d rather steal money than earn it made them fear for their lives. We and our law enforcement partners are working to identify, prosecute and lock up violent offenders like Michael Malcolm, to make the streets — and the stores — of Philadelphia safer for all.”
“I would like to commend the diligent efforts of our law enforcement partners for swiftly bringing Michael Malcolm to justice,” said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel. “These back-to-back armed robberies serve as a stark reminder of the importance of collaborative efforts in ensuring the safety and security of our communities. Through initiatives like Project Safe Neighborhoods, we remain steadfast in our commitment to reducing violent crime and fostering a safer environment for all. The significance of this sentencing cannot be overstated — it underscores the gravity of the defendant’s actions, and sends a clear message that such criminal behavior will not be tolerated in our city.” ••
