Trio Indicted in Home Invasion Robbery of Business Owner

An Indictment was filed today charging defendants Terrance Lydell Downing, Tyree Eric Mansell, a/k/a “Smash,” and Nyfis Toppings, a/k/a “Feese,” with conspiracy to commit robbery which interfered with interstate commerce, robbery which interfered with interstate commerce, and using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. The indictment specifically charges the defendants with committing a gun-point robbery of the owner of K&C Beverage Store, located at 6500 West Market Street, Upper Darby, Philadelphia, on August 8, 2010.

According to the indictment, the defendants planned and executed an armed robbery of the owner of K&C Beverage Store by following the owner from K&C Beverage Store to his residence, where he kept the proceeds of his business. The indictment further alleges that the defendants broke into the owner’s residence through a rear window that led into the kitchen and, armed with loaded firearms, wearing masks and bandanas to hide their faces, forced the owner at gunpoint to show them where the money was located then stole the money belonging to the business.

INFORMATION REGARDING THE DEFENDANTS

If convicted of all counts, the defendants each face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment, a $750,000 fine, five years’ supervised release, and a $300 special assessment.

This investigation and prosecution was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a joint initiative by the United States Attorney’s Office, each of the nine District Attorney’s Offices in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute dangerous firearms offenders in federal court, where the defendants are likely to receive a substantial sentence upon conviction. Recently, as an extension of Project Safe Neighborhoods, the United States Attorney’s Office, FBI, ATF, Philadelphia Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies have established the Hobbs Act Robbery Task Force to investigate and prosecute organized gangs and groups committing commercial armed robberies in this district.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Havertown Township Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jose R. Arteaga.