A Philadelphia man has been hit with a prison sentence north of 13 years for a brazen hold-up at a local pizza joint that escalated into gunfire, wounding two of the restaurant's workers. Kaleb Bridges, a 20-year-old from Philly, faced Judge Gerald A. McHugh and received a 166-month sentence followed by five years of supervised release for his crimes, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Last December, Bridges admitted to the Hobbs Act robbery and discharging a firearm during a violent crime. In a frightening encounter that is sure to badly shake any witness, he stormed the Mayfair Pizza parlor just as they were ready to close up shop, weapon in hand, and demanded money, as detailed by the U.S. Attorney's Office in a statement obtained by Justice.gov. The situation spiraled when he fired at an employee and then injured another during a struggle, before they were able to subdue him until police arrived.
It was a harrowing, life-changing couple of minutes for the victims and their family, who owned the business at 7424 Frankford Avenue. The daughter, after filling the bag with cash, got shot in the shoulder, while her mother, co-owner of the establishment, took a bullet during a tussle to keep the robber from escaping. The U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero emphasized the severity of the crime stating, "Kaleb Bridges’ decision to rob this family business at gunpoint and shoot two members of that family was life-changing for the victims." The community and the family alike are left to grapple with the aftermath.
Bridges' actions have been called out as a stark threat to the public by Philadelphia's top cop. They underscore the unpredictable and dangerous nature of armed robberies, a sentiment echoed by Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel who commended the joint efforts that led to a solid conviction. "The brazen violence displayed by Kaleb Bridges is a threat to the safety of every person in our city," Bethel told Justice.gov. He praised the ATF, Philadelphia police detectives, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for their relentless pursuit of justice in this case.
The case, tackled by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Philadelphia Police Department, falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). This initiative is part of a broader strategy launched to curtail violent crimes and gun-related violence, aiming to make communities feel more secure. The prosecution work was led by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Eckert.
