A Philadelphia Federal Grand Jury has indicted three men in a spree of dangerous ATM bombings dating back to last year’s rioting and looting following the police involved shooting of a knife wielding Walter Wallace in Cobbs Creek.
The bombings terrorized the city and netted the three suspects over $250,000, according to federal investigators and the six count, 17 page indictment.
Cushmir McBride, 21, Kamar Thompson, 34 and Nasser McFall, 22 were indicted on charges of using multiple explosive devices to destroy and rob ATMs in four separate instances last Fall at Target and Wawa stores in Philadelphia and Delaware.
The bombings started in late October and continued until early December, stretching from Port Richmond to Claymont, Delaware.
The defendants were charged with conspiracy to destroy property used in interstate commerce by means of explosives, aiding and abetting and four other counts.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice will always support constitutionally protected rights to peaceful protest and freedom of speech,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams. “However there is no right to rob, loot or destroy property while endangering lives as the defendants are accused of doing here. If you engage in violence and commit a federal crime during periods of civil unrest hoping the turbulence will afford you some cover, rest assured it will not. We will find you, charge you and you will face the consequences of your actions in federal court.”
ATF Special Agent in Charge Matthew Varisco credited the Philadelphia Arson and Explosives Task Force for their work in putting together this complicated case.
Investigators say the trio also wore masks and used hammers, axes, saws and crowbars to carry out the ATM robberies while disguising themselves by wearing construction clothing. They also used a lookout and getaway driver at several of the robberies.
Task Force investigators say the men allegedly got $40,000 in their first ATM robbery. At the Richmond Street ATM explosion and robbery the suspects allegedly stole $150,610. At a later ATM explosion and robbery at the Wells Fargo ATM on Roosevelt Boulevard, the defendants allegedly escaped with $65,845.
Federal prosecutors have filed a forfeiture motion against the three men to recover money stolen during the robberies. They face up to 80 years if convicted on all of the charges. They face arraignment next week. All three are in custody, arrested last week.
