By: Richard L. Smith
A federal jury convicted an Elizabeth, NJ man Wednesday for participating in a multi-state armed robbery spree that spanned several months, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
According to federal officials, Vincent Chan-Guillen, 32, was convicted of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, conspiracy to use and carry a firearm during a Hobbs Act robbery, three counts of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of attempted Hobbs Act robbery, three counts of brandishing a firearm during a Hobbs Act robbery, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Chan-Guillen was convicted following a one-week trial before U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler in Newark federal court.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial:
Chan-Guillen committed nine armed robberies between August 2018 and November 2018, five of which occurred in New York and four of which occurred in New Jersey.
During each robbery, Chan-Guillen brandished a firearm, which he pointed at store employees and customers.
The New Jersey robberies victimized Elizabeth, Woodbridge Township, Bloomfield, and Linden liquor stores.
Chan-Guillen faces a maximum potential penalty of 20 years on each count of Hobbs Act robbery and attempted Hobbs Act robbery, a maximum potential sentence of life in prison, and a mandatory minimum fine of seven years in prison on each count of brandishing a firearm during a Hobbs Act robbery, each of which must run consecutively to any other prison term.
Each count also carries a potential $250,000 fine.