By Trend News Line 2024-04-24 11:34:23.
Men Sentenced for Stealing $100,000 in Cigarettes
Three men who admitted to stealing nearly $100,000 in cigarettes from delivery trucks around Upper Darby in 2022 were sentenced separately on charges of conspiracy to robbery and theft by unlawful taking.
Tyshaun Henry, 23, his brother Tyrese Henry, 25, and Zihir Murray, 28, had each previously entered open guilty pleas to the charges before Common Pleas Court Judge Margaret Amoroso.
Series of Thefts Uncovered
The trio was arrested by Upper Darby police in September following a lengthy investigation into multiple reports of theft from delivery trucks in the township. These included the theft of approximately $40,000 worth of cigarettes from a truck outside a Wawa, the robbery of $4,720 in cigarettes during a delivery, and the taking of cigarettes valued at $10,649 from another truck.
The suspects were identified through surveillance video and photographs taken by a Wawa employee during one of the thefts. The stolen items were loaded into a white Kia K5 before the suspects fled the scene.
Sentencing Details
Murray received a sentence of seven years of probation with the first 12 months on house arrest. He had brought $1,000 with him as restitution and promised to pay as much as possible towards the total. Tyshaun Henry was given a sentence of three months in jail with seven years of concurrent probation. He had not made an attempt to pay any restitution at the time of sentencing.
Tyrese Henry received the most serious sentence of three to six years in state prison plus four years of consecutive probation. The prosecutor sought a longer sentence due to his prior record and the nature of the incidents.
Reflections on the Sentences
The defense counsel for the men argued that the thefts were not violent in nature and that the men were merely trying to steal products for later sale. They expressed remorse for their actions and promised to make restitution.
As part of their sentences, each of the men was ordered to stay out of Wawas while on court supervision.
Impact of the Thefts
The judge noted that these types of robberies are becoming an ongoing problem, with companies now hiring guards to protect their deliveries. The incidents have raised concerns about the safety of delivery drivers and the need for increased security measures.
Overall, the sentencing of the three men highlights the consequences of engaging in criminal activities and the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions..
– Trio sentenced in cigarette thefts
– Trio sentenced in cigarette smuggling.