Brooklyn Man Charged with Attempted Hobbs Act Robbery of Pharmacy and Stabbing Employee

Attack Captured on Surveillance Video

Rayvaughn Williams was arrested today on a criminal complaint filed in federal court in Brooklyn charging him with the attempted robbery of the Canarsie Plaza Pharmacy in Brooklyn during which an employee of the pharmacy was repeatedly stabbed.  Vaughn’s initial appearance is scheduled for this afternoon via video conference before United States Magistrate Judge Roanne L. Mann.

Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Dermot F. Shea, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the arrest and charges.

As detailed in the complaint, on August 12, 2019, Williams entered the pharmacy and claimed he was there to pick up a prescription.  When the employee could not find a record of the prescription, Williams removed a knife from a plastic bag he was carrying and demanded money.  When the employee tried but failed to open the register, Williams vaulted over the counter and stabbed the employee repeatedly.  The employee was seriously wounded but survived the attack, which was recorded on the pharmacy’s security cameras.

“As alleged, Williams brutally stabbed a victim who had offered no resistance to the attempted robbery of the pharmacy,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue.  “Such wanton disregard for life will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.  I commend the ATF Special Agents and the NYPD detectives for their outstanding investigative work that led to the identification and arrest of the defendant.”

“This defendant, as alleged, not only attempted to rob a pharmacy servicing the Brooklyn community, but repeatedly stabbed an employee, causing serious injury.  Thanks to the tireless work of the men and women of the ATF/NYPD Robbery Task Force, he no longer poses a threat to public safety.  I would like to thank the United States Attorney’s Office for their work in prosecuting this case,” stated ATF Special Agent-in-Charge DeVito.

“Our joint work in this case has led to the arrest of a violent robbery suspect. This collaborative law enforcement effort shows our relentless commitment to justice,” stated NYPD Commissioner Shea.

The charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted, the defendant faces up to 20 years in prison.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorney Robert M. Pollack is in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendant:

RAYVAUGHN WILLIAMS
Age: 24
Brooklyn, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No.: 20-MJ-507