Man, woman charged with trying to use explosives to steal from Wawa in Philly
The pair allegedly conspired with others to break into the store druing civil unrest last June.
A man and woman have been charged in federal court with trying to use explosives to steal from a Wawa in Philadelphia during civil unrest in the city last June, Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced Friday.
Williams said Michael Fields, 34, and Desiree Adorno, 65, both of Philadelphia, were charged by indictment with: conspiracy; attempting to maliciously damage property used in interstate commerce by means of an explosive; and aiding and abetting. Fields also was charged with possession of an unregistered firearm, Williams said in a news release.
In early June, following the civil unrest that erupted following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Fields and Adorno conspired with other individuals to break into a Wawa on Richmond Street, prosecutors said.
In addition to taking merchandise from the store, the pair placed explosives inside a lottery machine, and near a safe and a cash register in the middle of the store. Police arrived before the devices were detonated, prosecutors said.
Fields made his initial appearance in federal court on Friday and Adorno was scheduled to make her appearance on Monday.