District Man Found Guilty Of Robbery Charge

In 2012 Attack at Deanwood Metro Station
-Defendant Pointed a Gun in Victim’s Face Before Taking His Wallet-

     WASHINGTON – Zachary Pollard, 18, of Washington D.C., has been found guilty by a jury of robbery in an attack last year at the Deanwood Metro station in Northeast Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced today.

     Pollard was found guilty on April 4, 2013, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Heidi M. Pasichow scheduled sentencing for June 11, 2013. 

     According to the government’s evidence, Pollard and an unidentified accomplice approached the victim at about 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 18, 2012 near the Metro station, in the 4700 block of Polk Street NE. Pollard, standing in front of the victim, pulled out a gun and pointed it in the man’s face while the accomplice threw the victim to the ground.  Pollard then rifled through the victim’s pockets and took the victim’s wallet, which contained credit cards and $11.  The victim reported the crime to the station manager, who called Metro Transit Police. 

     Less than 10 minutes later and about a half mile from the Deanwood station, a Metro Transit Police officer spotted Pollard, who matched the description given for a police lookout.  The officer stopped Pollard, who was eating a fast-food apple pie.  Minutes later, as other officers arrived on the scene and without having been told what had been taken in the robbery or the reason why he had been stopped, Pollard spontaneously stated, “Man, I didn’t rob nobody for no $11.”  Officers recovered $9 in cash from the defendant. 

     At the time of the crime, Pollard was free on personal recognizance while awaiting trial for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and other charges. He was arrested in that case on Oct. 14, 2012. Pollard has pled not guilty in that matter and is awaiting trial later this month.

     In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Machen praised the work of the detective, officers, and mobile crime scene officers from the Metro Transit Police Department who investigated the case. He also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the matter for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Antoinette Sakamsa and Theresa Nelson, and Victim Advocate Kristina Rose. Finally, he commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Lallas, who prosecuted the case.