Amir Harvey, a 24-year-old city man from Philadelphia, has pleaded guilty to a series of charges relating to a robbery and a carjacking that took place in Northeast Philadelphia in September 2022. Harvey admitted to committing a Hobbs Act robbery, carjacking, and being a felon in possession of ammunition, according to a statement by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The incidents that led to Harvey’s arrest began, when him and three accomplices accosted an employee of the Hook and Reel restaurant on Roosevelt Boulevard, forcing the worker inside before stealing $400 and fleeing the scene, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office. The following ordeal occurred ten days later, when a mother and her daughter were confronted by Harvey, who was armed with what appeared to be a firearm, as they left their home early in the morning. After taking the victims' vehicle, purse, and keys, the car's tracking feature led law enforcement to recover it shortly after on Griffith Street.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero highlighted the violent nature of these crimes, "Amir Harvey ambushed a worker just trying to wrap up his shift, and a mom and daughter looking to start their day," noting that "Robbing innocent people at gunpoint, even if the gun’s not real, is no game. It’s a serious crime — and an excellent way to earn an extended stay in federal prison." Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Philadelphia Field Office, also condemned the violence and assured the community of the agency's commitment to tackling violent crimes in the area, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The successful prosecution is credited to the Philadelphia Carjacking Task Force, a joint effort that includes the U.S. Attorney’s Office Violent Crime Unit, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Philadelphia Police Department. This collaborative operation utilizes investigative and enforcement strategies to curb the rise in carjackings and other violent crimes. Assistant United States Attorneys Robert E. Eckert and Lauren E. Stram led the prosecution of this case, which was extensively investigated by the ATF and the Philadelphia Police Department.
