Chinatown Walgreens Robberies: Kingpin Gets 10.5 Years

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WASHINGTON D.C. – Gianni Robinson, 28, is headed to federal prison for over ten years after orchestrating a series of brazen armed robberies targeting a Walgreens in D.C.’s Chinatown. He was sentenced to 126 months today, bringing a close to a case that exposed a chilling level of calculated greed and disregard for public safety.

Robinson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce via robbery – a violation of the Hobbs Act – and to possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. Beyond the decade-plus prison term, Judge Jia M. Cobb ordered five years of supervised release and $7,245.75 in restitution.

According to court documents, Robinson wasn’t pulling the trigger, but he was the architect of the seven-month crime spree that ran from July 2023 to February 2024. He used his position as a central planner to exploit insider knowledge and coordinate the robberies at the Walgreens on 7th Street NW. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro pointedly noted Robinson’s callousness: after surveillance footage of one robbery surfaced online, Robinson shared the YouTube link with the gunman, along with a laughing emoji.

The operation relied on two corrupt Walgreens store managers – Robinson’s uncle, Michael Robinson, and London Teeter – who fed information to Kamanye Williams, the masked man who carried out the robberies at gunpoint. Gianni Robinson provided Williams with access codes, gave the go-ahead for the first heist, and handled the logistical details, including getaway arrangements. The crew collectively stole nearly $29,000. A disturbing detail emerged: one employee was shot in the chest during one of the robberies.

“Robinson isn’t laughing anymore,” Pirro stated, emphasizing the office’s commitment to improving public safety in the District. The sentence sends a message that exploiting vulnerabilities and endangering lives for profit will not be tolerated.