Philadelphia Police Officer, Co-Conspirators Charged for 2017 Robbery

CONTACT:
Jane Roh, District Attorney’s Office, 215–686–8711, Jane.Roh@phila.gov

PHILADELPHIA (July 2, 2020) — District Attorney Larry Krasner on Thursday announced that Philadelphia Police Officer Luis Miranda (DOB: 2/9/1980) along with two co-conspirators have been arrested and charged for their roles in the robbery and assault of multiple victims at a North Philadelphia business in 2017.

An investigation initiated by the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) and referred to the District Attorney’s Office (DAO) Special Investigations Unit, which worked in collaboration with various PPD investigators, determined that Officer Miranda along with relatives Gregorio Esquilin (DOB: 9/3/1963) and Juan Luis Esquilin (DOB: 10/18/1987) conspired to rob individuals participating in gambling activity out of a business in the area of 4200 Rising Sun Ave. The business was also robbed.

During the December 17, 2017, incident, 15 complainants were robbed, threatened, and/or assaulted. Additionally, Officer Miranda faces drug charges as well as charges of misusing PPD resources for criminal purposes.

For his role in the 2017 robbery, the DAO has charged Officer Miranda with 15 counts of Robbery (F1), 15 counts of Conspiracy (F1), four counts of Aggravated Assault (F1), four counts of Aggravated Assault (F2), 15 counts of Terrorist Threats (M1), and related charges. For misusing PPD resources, the DAO has charged Officer Miranda with 16 counts of Unlawful Use of a Computer (F3), 16 counts of Computer Theft (F3), 16 counts of Unlawful Duplication (F3), as well as Possession with Intent to Deliver (F), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M) for separate drug offenses.

“Accountability must be even-handed. Our careful and thorough investigation into this matter since it was referred by the Philadelphia Police has resulted in a measure of accountability that is equal and evenhanded for those involved — both civilians and police,” District Attorney Krasner said, adding, “Crimes by police are more likely to occur where there is a vacuum of accountability. Police officers hold a position of trust, and the criminal legal system has always considered abuse of a position of trust as an extremely serious offense. I am pleased to see that Police Commissioner Outlaw and the DAO are jointly headed in a more constructive direction.”

For their roles in the 2017 robbery, Gregorio Esquilin and Juan Luis Esquilin, father and son, both of Philadelphia, each face 15 counts of Robbery (F1), 15 counts of Conspiracy (F1), four counts of Aggravated Assault (F1), four counts of Aggravated Assault (F2), 15 counts of Terrorist Threats (M1), and related charges.

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The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million citizens of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually.