Knife-wielding Coraopolis Man Carjacked a Vehicle then Robbed a Rite Aid Pharmacy of $200K in Prescription Meds

PITTSBURGH, PA. – A former resident of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of carjacking, armed robbery of a pharmacy and violating the federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Joshua Williams, age 37, pleaded guilty to three counts before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on May 29, 2017, Williams climbed through the open passenger window of a Chevrolet Malibu vehicle and attempted to poke the driver with a knife. The driver of the car was able to jump out of the vehicle and crawl onto the sidewalk as the defendant fled in the vehicle.

Shortly thereafter, Onstar tracked the vehicle to Noblestown Road. When police responded to the area, they learned that the defendant had just robbed a Rite Aid pharmacy. The defendant jumped over the counter, pointed a large serrated knife at the pharmacist, and demanded Oxycodone, Fentanyl and Adderall. Williams fled the pharmacy with a trashcan full of medications with a street value of nearly $200,000. Onstar continued to track the vehicle and the defendant was apprehended minutes later with the prescription pill bottles stolen from the pharmacy, as well as a knife.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Shanicka L. Kennedy is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.