Philadelphia Man Convicted of Five Armed Robberies
Crimes Carry a Mandatory 107-Year Prison Term

PHILADELPHIA—Devon Brinkley, 24, of Philadelphia, was convicted today of five violent Hobbs Act Robberies carried out over a nine-day period in October 2008, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. Brinkley and his co-defendants robbed two Dunkin’ Donuts shops in Philadelphia, a Dunkin’ Donuts and a Pizza Hut in Upper Darby, and a McDonald’s in Radnor. Brinkley was convicted of all 11 counts, including five counts of Hobbs Act Robbery, five counts of carrying and using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of conspiracy. He faces a mandatory 107-year prison sentence.

In each of the five robberies, Brinkley and his co-conspirators entered the businesses with guns drawn, threatening all employees and customers present, forcing them to the floor, and stealing money from cash registers and safes. The victims testified that they were terrorized. In one robbery, a female employee was struck in the head with a gun, then forced into an office to open the safe. Another female employee testified that she believed she would be raped and murdered by the robbers because there was not enough money for them to steal. Another employee testified to being so traumatized that she could no longer work the closing shift and suffered sleepless nights and nightmares after the robbery. Brinkley’s co-defendants—Lukner Rene, Jonathan Moman, Gregory Pitt, and Kebrum Teklu—previously pleaded guilty.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Philadelphia Police Department, Upper Darby Police Department, Lower Merion Police Department, and the Tredyffrin Township Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Salvatore L. Astolfi.