A Daring Daytime Assault (Image Credits: Cwbchicago.com)
Chicago – Federal authorities handed down a 116-month prison term to a local man who orchestrated an armed robbery against electrical workers installing a natural gas pipeline.
A Daring Daytime Assault
On December 6, 2023, Marquise Ramyyeh, then 21, and three associates emerged from a stolen Jeep Cherokee near 97th Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Drive.[1]
They pointed guns at three workers in broad daylight. Two victims operated heavy machinery while the third fetched tools from a van. Ramyyeh and accomplice Chaqwon Birden dragged specialized equipment worth about $25,000 into their vehicle before speeding away.
Police soon located the Jeep. As officers approached, Ramyyeh ran and discarded a loaded Glock pistol in a nearby yard. Authorities recovered the gun along with all stolen items.[1]
Escalating Criminal Trajectory
Prosecutors highlighted Ramyyeh’s history of high-value thefts that began at age 16. He served 18 months for a weapons charge linked to a theft at an Ulta Beauty store.[1]
In that incident, he similarly tossed a loaded Glock while evading capture. Just three months before the utility robbery, a state court released him onto supervised release. Yet he quickly returned to crime.
- Age 16: Initial high-value thefts noted by prosecutors.
- Prior to 2023: Weapons conviction tied to Ulta Beauty robbery.
- December 2023: Armed holdup on pipeline crew.
Courtroom Battle and Verdict
U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer imposed the sentence last week. It comprised 32 months for the robbery plus a mandatory 84 months consecutive for brandishing a firearm.[1]
Prosecutors pushed for 130 months, citing Ramyyeh’s complete disregard for human life and high reoffending risk. His co-defendants—Kahdaffie Green and Jahjuan Green—face pending federal charges from the same indictment.
The ruling underscores federal intolerance for violent crimes involving firearms. Ramyyeh’s actions endangered lives in a busy urban area during work hours.
Additional Legal Clouds
A separate state case looms over Ramyyeh. It accuses him of joining a crash-and-grab crew that targeted a Louis Vuitton store on Michigan Avenue on November 13, 2023.
Thieves stole $210,000 in purses during that burglary. This pending matter adds to the gravity of his federal conviction.[1]
This case serves as a stark reminder of how repeated offenses can lead to lengthy incarceration. Communities rely on utility workers to maintain essential services, making such attacks particularly alarming. What steps can cities take to protect frontline infrastructure teams? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Key Takeaways
- Ramyyeh received 116 months: 32 for robbery, 84 consecutive for gun brandishing.
- Crime involved $25,000 in pipeline tools stolen at gunpoint from three workers.
- History traces to age 16, with a pending $210,000 luxury theft case.
For full details, see the original CWB Chicago report.