Philly Men Facing Gun Charges After ATM Theft Attempt: Feds

PHILADELPHIA — Two Philadelphia men who are convicted felons are facing federal firearms charges after authorities said they had handguns while trying to steal an ATM during unrest in the city.

United States Attorney William M. McSwain said Steven Pennycooke, 34, and Shawn Collins, 27, both of Philadelphia, were each charged by criminal complaint with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Pennycooke and Collins are being charged in connection with an incident in West Philadelphia that occurred June 2 after unrest broke out following peaceful protests over George Floyd's death.

On June 2, while a mandatory curfew was in effect, Philadelphia Police got a call about two men loading an ATM onto a cart on the 4100 block of Viola Street in the Parkside section of West Philadelphia.

Officers responded to the scene and saw what appeared to be a safe in the middle of the street.

They also saw two individuals fitting the description from the original call — later identified as Pennycooke and Collins — standing near a vehicle about halfway down the block from the safe, authorities said.

According to the complaint, Pennycooke removed an object, later confirmed to be a loaded 9 mm Hi-Point C9 handgun, from his waistband and discarded it in the rear passenger seat of the vehicle parked nearby, federal officials said. Collins was also found to have a firearm in his waistband, later confirmed to be a loaded 9 mm Taurus PT24/7 G2 C handgun, according to federal authorities.

Both men are convicted felons and cannot legally possess firearms.

The complaint also alleges Collins acknowledged police that he did not have a permit to carry a firearm.

If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum possible sentence of 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.