PHILADELPHIA, PA — A Philadelphia man was convicted at trial of robbery, firearm, and drug charges stemming from the armed robbery of a Kensington pharmacy, federal prosecutors announced.
Michael Nixon, 31, was found guilty of Hobbs Act robbery, using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, U.S. Attorney David Metcalf said.
The charges relate to a December 22, 2021, robbery at a pharmacy on the 2900 block of North 5th Street.
Prosecutors said Nixon approached a pharmacy employee outside the store around 5:44 p.m. and forced the individual back inside at gunpoint.
Once inside, he demanded access to a controlled substances safe and directed the employee to place narcotics into plastic bags while pointing a firearm and urging the employee to move quickly.
Authorities said Nixon then fled the store and entered a waiting blue Dodge Charger.
Philadelphia Police Department Narcotics Strike Force officers observed the suspect enter the vehicle and attempted a stop, but the car fled, leading officers on a high-speed pursuit through the city.
During the chase, officers saw bottles of medication being thrown from the vehicle, according to prosecutors.
The pursuit ended after a minor crash on the 3100 block of Janney Street, where Nixon and the driver were taken into custody.
Police later recovered multiple bottles of controlled substances along the route, including alprazolam tablets and methylphenidate hydrochloride, which investigators said matched those taken during the robbery.
Nixon is scheduled to be sentenced on July 8 and faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison.
The case was investigated by the Philadelphia Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Stram and Justin Oshana.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.