Convicted Felon Gets 15 Years for Robbing Neighborhood Store

Kareem McBride, a/k/a “Alif Holmes,” 32, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 15 years in prison for robbery and gun charges. McBride pleaded guilty on May 20, 2013, to robbery that interferes with interstate commerce, using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

On October 12, 2012, McBride robbed the Wyalusing Food Market at 54th and Wyalusing at gunpoint. The store is owned by a husband and wife. McBride entered the store wearing a black knit hat pulled down over his face and brandished a loaded black revolver that he pointed directly at the female store owner who had been working behind the counter. McBride forced the victim to give him money from the cash register and then pointed his gun at the male store owner who had been in the back of the store. The male store owner had a gun of his own, and when McBride pointed his gun at him, the victim shot McBride. The male store owner then detained McBride on the street outside the store until the police arrived.

McBride was charged with convicted felon in possession of a firearm because he had previously been convicted of a felony. He had amassed nine separate convictions between 1999 and 2011 for drugs, robbery, and firearms crimes before robbing the Wyalusing Food Market.

In addition to the prison term, seven years of which is mandatory, U.S. District Court Judge Mary McLaughlin ordered three years of supervised release and a $300 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Philadelphia Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Zaleski.