Abington Rite Aid Robber Sentenced

One of two men who pleaded guilty to a string of armed robberies, including the October 2012 robbery of a Rite Aid in Abington, was sentenced.

William Webb, 51, of Philadelphia, was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison for his role in the robberies, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Webb pleaded guilty in July to conspiracy and armed robbery.

See the initial story on Abington Patch here.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Webb and Edward Schaeffer, 30, of Philadelphia,  conspired to target almost 20 pharmacies in order to steal prescription pharmaceuticals. Schaeffer pleaded guilty in September and will be sentenced Dec. 5.

According to the indictment, Schaeffer and Webb agreed that Schaeffer would wear gloves and a mask and would enter pharmacies armed with a gun and would obtain drugs — including Endocet, methadone, Oxycontin and Oxycodone — to use or sell. The two would divide the cash stolen from the pharmacies. Webb was the alleged getaway driver, according to the indictment. 

The robberies date back to December 2011, in which QRX Pharmacy in the 7000 block of Castor Avenue, Philadelphia, was robbed, according to the indictment.

Seventeen of the robberies happened in Philadelphia; one happened at the Rite Aid on Old York Road in Abington and the other robbery happened in Glenolden. 

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge John Padova ordered restitution in the amount of $65,300, and five years of supervised release.