BOSTON – A grim day in justice as Malden resident John Schurko, 58, faced federal court for his brazen December 2021 market robbery using an airsoft gun. On June 21, 2024, U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton sentenced the defendant to three years behind bars, followed by two years of supervised release.
Schurko’s crime began on December 12, 2021, when he entered Harvard Market in Malden at 8 p.m., brandishing what seemed like a black handgun. Behind the counter, he demanded cash from the clerk. His getaway ended quickly on December 16, 2021, as police found his vehicle in a Medford hotel parking lot. Inside was a black Airsoft gun, convincing enough to mimic a real firearm.
The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery in February 2024. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert E. Richardson led the prosecution for this Major Crimes Unit case.
United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; FBI Boston Division Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen; Massachusetts State Police Interim Colonel John E. Mawn Jr.; Malden, Medford, Billerica, and Woburn police chiefs all announced the sentencing. The coordinated efforts of these law enforcement agencies brought Schurko to justice.
This sentence serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals who use airsoft guns in criminal acts. The community can breathe easier knowing that justice has been served for this heist on Harvard Market.
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Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Public Corruption|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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