Trio Charged in Armed Robbery

PHILADELPHIA—Three Philadelphia men are charged with conspiracy and Hobbs Acts robbery in a superseding indictment filed yesterday, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. Marcus Jones, 23; Jonte King, 22; and Maleek Brown, 22, are charged with planning and carrying out the March 14, 2012 armed robbery of the Peralta Grocery Store located at 6935 Dicks Avenue, Philadelphia. According to the indictment, Brown acted as the getaway driver while Jones and King, brandishing firearms, robbed the store. The indictment further charges Jones and King with the March 24, 2012 armed robbery of the Golden Kingdom II Restaurant located at 7100 Elmwood Avenue, Philadelphia. The indictment further charges Jones with the March 22, 2012 armed robbery of Aya’s Pizza located at 7144 Elmwood Avenue in Philadelphia.

If convicted of all charges, Jones faces a mandatory 57 years in prison, up to life; King faces a mandatory 32 years in prison, up to life; Brown faces a mandatory seven years in prison, up to life. Each defendant also faces possible fines, mandatory special assessments, and supervised release.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Philadelphia Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Barry.

An indictment or information is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.