DA Krasner convicts 28-year-old for home invasion, gunpoint robbery

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and his ‘Prolific” Gun Offenders Unit have announced the conviction of a 28-year-old man for a home invasion and gunpoint robbery in East Germantown.

According to Krasner, 28-year-old Marquise Alexander was arrested and found guilty of a gunpoint robbery that occurred in August 2023.

Alexander was charged with Robbery, Conspiracy, Theft, Receiving Stolen Property, 2 counts of VUFA 6105, 2 counts of VUFA 6106, 2 counts of VUFA 6108, and Possession of an Instrument of Crime.

The crime occurred on the evening of August 16, 2023, when the victim, Otis Ryans, arrived home on the 500 block of Church Lane to find Alexander, and another unknown person waiting at his front door.

Krasner said Alexander had been the victim’s co-worker at a nearby grocery store.

The victim allowed Alexander and the other suspect to enter his home which is when a fight occurred between the victim and Alexander, and the unknown suspect stole one of the victims’ licensed firearms and held him at gunpoint.

Alexander managed to steal valuables from the victims before they exited the residence and fled.

DA Krasner stated that Alexander was on parole at the time for previous robberies, and had subsequently stopped reporting to his parole officer and fled Philadelphia after this incident.

Alexander is also facing charges in Delaware County for his role in another gunpoint robbery that occurred in October 2023.

“I’m grateful for Assistant District Attorney Kelsey Gimaro’s skillful prosecution of this case,” said DA Krasner. “This conviction shows that our newly-launched Prolific Gun Offender Unit means business. Thanks to funding from City Council, we are increasing our focus on the small number of individuals who are prohibited from using firearms and who pose the most serious threats to public safety. The PGOU is dedicated to securing justice for the victims and communities harmed by firearms.”

“I’m proud of the fact that this dangerous individual will be held accountable for his inexcusable behavior,” said ADA Gimaro. “I’m also grateful to the survivor in this case, Otis Ryans, who bravely testified at trial and helped secure a conviction against Marquise Alexander. Illegally-obtained firearms in the hands of dangerous individuals continue to create unsafe situations for the people of Philadelphia. We will continue to do everything we can to take on these cases and achieve justice for the victims and the community.”

“I want to thank Kelsey for fighting so hard for me,” said Otis Ryans. “I also want to give a special thanks to Philadelphia Police Officer O’Neill for involving me in the investigation. I also want Mr. Alexander to know the damage you’ve caused me, financially and emotionally. I probably won’t ever get a ‘sorry’, but you’ve already been forgiven.”

The Prolific Gun Offenders Unit, which launched in April, aims to prosecute individuals who repeatedly commit gun possession offenses and violent crimes that involve guns, including Felon in Possession of a Firearm (VUFA 6105); Straw Purchases (VUFA 6111); Juveniles in Possession of Firearms (VUFA (6110.1); and individuals who are arrested and charged with the manufacturing and distribution of polymer firearms, or ‘ghost guns’.

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