3 Convicted Of Armed Robbery In East Mt Airy

MT. AIRY, PHILADELPHIA — Three men were recently convicted of robbing an East Mt. Airy corner store at gunpoint, according to federal authorities.

United States Attorney William M. McSwain said Donnie Smith, 40; Abid Stevens, 39; and Maurice Quinn, 41, all of Philadelphia, were convicted at trial of Hobbs Act robbery and carrying and using a firearm during the commission of a federal crime.

The charges stem from an armed robbery of a corner grocery store in East Mount Airy in Philadelphia.

In March 2019, Quinn entered RD Grocery and complained to a store employee that the store’s ATM had given him fake money.

He then attempted to take $100 from the register, as well as a firearm kept by the owner behind the counter. When he was unsuccessful in grabbing the money or the firearm, Quinn left and returned with Smith and Stevens, both of whom were armed with black semi-automatic handguns.

Smith put his gun in the store employee’s face and took the store owner’s gun from behind the counter.

Quinn again attempted to take cash from the register but failed. He then demanded that the store employee open the register for him; the employee withdrew $100 in cash and the defendants left.

Philadelphia Police officers arrived as defendant Smith drove away in his car. After a brief pursuit, Smith abandoned his car and fled on foot. Officers recovered the stolen firearm and an article of clothing from Smith’s car. Using the recovered items and surveillance footage of the robbery, Philadelphia Police officers were able to identify the defendants.