Billboards Announce Armed Robbery of a Corner Store Could Get You 25 Years in Prison

On Monday, September 8, 2008, the Clear Channel Outdoor Digital Outdoor Network will begin showing messages regarding the Hobbs Act on seven billboards throughout the Philadelphia region. The information is presented in clear and concise wording, such as “Rob a corner store with a gun in Philadelphia, you could get 25 years in prison.”

The crystal-clear images advise the thousands of people who will view the billboards every day that in Philadelphia the FBI, the United States Attorney’s Office (EDPA), and the Philadelphia Police Department are utilizing the Hobbs Act to charge individuals committing multiple armed robberies with a federal crime.

Under the Hobbs Act, any business that receives merchandise via interstate commerce is a victim and any robber can be charged with a federal offense of interfering with interstate commerce when committing a robbery of one of these businesses. In addition to the robbery charge, the subjects are charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and each offense has a mandatory minimum sentence. The first time a gun is used brings a minimum charge of seven years in prison. Each subsequent charge brings an additional charge of 25 years.

The Hobbs Act initiative was started in Philadelphia in January 2003. Currently, two detectives from the Philadelphia Police Department Major Crimes Unit and 10 FBI agents are dedicated to the Hobbs Act Task Force. The task force works closely with each of the six Detective Division’s Special Investigation Units (SIU), which initiates these cases. All Hobbs cases are referred for prosecution to the U.S. Attorney’s Firearms Unit under the Federal Project Safe Neighborhood Initiative. This unit consist of assistant United States attorneys and assistant district attorneys from Philadelphia county and surrounding suburban counties.

The Hobbs Act Task Force targets groups involved in committing armed robberies of stores and commercial businesses including bars, fast food restaurants, gas stations, convenient stores, pizza parlors, Chinese food takeouts, and corners stores such as bodegas.

In state court charges vary and are often more lenient. Charging these serial criminals with a federal crime with substantially longer sentences enables the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Philadelphia Police Department to, in many cases, elicit their cooperation. Their cooperation has allowed the government to expand the scope of investigations. The information received from cooperators has helped solve murders and assaults.

“Utilizing the Hobbs Act to charge repeat offenders intent on committing armed robberies with a federal crime is one of the most effective tools in law enforcement,” said FBI Philadelphia Special Agent in Charge Janice Fedarcyk. “We want to warn these individuals that we are determined to make the streets of Philadelphia safer.”

Digital billboards display static messages that resemble standard printed billboards when viewed, but also allow advertisers to change messages throughout the course of a day. The space and time for the Hobbs Act messages was donated to the FBI by Clear Channel Outdoor in order for law enforcement to have the opportunity to “advertise” this important information to the Clear Channel Outdoor audience.

The billboards are located in:

• Delaware County, Pennsylvania (exit 3 on I-95);
• Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania (two by the Stadium, one on the Walt Whitman Bridge (westbound), and one by the Cottman Ave exit); and
• Bucks County, Pennsylvania (one on I-95 by Street road, one on US 1 by Street Road).
  
  

 

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