February 05, 2016
A Philadelphia man was sentenced Friday to more than 30 years in federal prison for his role in a kidnapping and attempted robbery of a Jewelers Row store, according to information from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Philadelphia.
Prior to the crime, Salahudin Shaheed, who was sentenced Friday, and co-defendants Khayree Gay and Basil Buie staked out the National Watch and Diamond Exchange store, at 101. S. Eighth Street, and its employees from a parking lot at 733 Chestnut St.
The trio intended to abduct a store employee and forcibly obtain the keys and security codes so they could rob the store of luxury watches, jewelry and money.
They attempted to carry out their plan on April 4.
Shaheed and Buie, wearing masks, gloves and sunglasses, confronted an employee as she approached her car in the garage. Shaheed assaulted her with a Taser. The victim was forced into a van and beaten for several hours as the defendants drove to various locations.
Shaheed, 35, was sentenced to 365 months in prison and ordered to pay $9,983.97 in restitution. He pleaded guilty in October to kidnapping, attempted Hobbs Act robbery and conspiracy charges.
Buie previously was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Gay is awaiting sentencing.
