PHILADELPHIA, PA — Shaquan Brown, a 29-year-old resident of Philadelphia, was found guilty by a federal jury on charges related to a series of armed home invasion robberies. These crimes specifically targeted business owners, marking a disturbing trend of violence against individuals believed to be keeping substantial amounts of cash at their residences.
Between November 2019 and January 3, 2020, Brown, alongside three accomplices, orchestrated a campaign of terror that aimed at the homes and businesses of various owners. Utilizing zip ties, duct tape, and firearms, the group executed their meticulously planned robberies with chilling precision. Brown’s method involved detailed research on potential victims and their businesses, including the use of GPS devices to ascertain residential addresses. The criminals specifically preyed upon Asian business owners and others operating primarily in cash transactions, believing these households to contain significant sums of money.
One particularly harrowing incident occurred on the night of December 31, 2019, when Brown and two of his co-conspirators ambushed the owner of a nail salon in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. After assaulting the owner and demanding money, the perpetrators extended their violent spree to the victim’s home, where they also restrained and terrorized the owner’s family, including children. The assailants made off with cash from both the business and the residence, leaving behind a trail of fear and trauma.
Another attempted robbery on January 3, 2020, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, was thwarted by a home security system, which alerted police and led to a chase culminating in Brown’s arrest. Authorities recovered incriminating items such as duct tape, zip ties, and a firearm from Brown’s possession.
United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero condemned the invasions as egregious violations of personal safety, emphasizing the profound impact such crimes have on victims’ sense of security within their own homes. She highlighted the case as a stark example of criminals targeting hardworking business owners through acts of extreme violence rather than pursuing legitimate means of income.
Brown now faces the prospect of a lengthy prison sentence, with a mandatory minimum of 84 months and the possibility of life imprisonment. His sentencing is scheduled for July 30, 2024, offering a measure of justice to the victims while removing a dangerous individual from the community.
The successful prosecution of this case, led by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony Carissimi and J. Jeanette Kang, and investigated by the ATF, underscores the commitment of law enforcement to holding perpetrators of violent crimes accountable and restoring peace of mind to affected communities.
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