Knifepoint mugger admits her guilt, gets sentenced

MEDIA COURTHOUSE » One of two defendants involved in a December knifepoint robbery outside Rudy’s Tavern was sentenced to time served to 23 months Tuesday after pleading guilty to felony robbery and conspiracy charges.

Unique Simmons, 23, of the 400 block of Millbank Road in Upper Darby, was given credit for time served from Jan. 16 to Jan. 29 for the Dec. 30 robbery during a hearing before Delaware County Common Pleas Court Judge Margaret J. Amoroso.

Simmons was also ordered to serve two years of concurrent probation, stay away from the victim and provide a DNA sample to state police under the negotiated guilty plea worked out by Assistant District Attorney Kim Riley and defense counsel Baltazar Rubio.

Upper Darby police were dispatched to the tavern at 7160 Marshall Road at 2:12 a.m. for reports of a fight, according to an affidavit of probable cause written by Detective Christopher Karr. Responding officers dispersed a large and uncooperative group, according to the affidavit.

The victim arrived at police headquarters the following day and reported the robbery, identifying Simmons and co-defendant Zaina Ferrell as her assailants.

The victim provided a statement indicating she had been at the bar that night with two friends. After leaving the establishment, the victim said she was confronted by Simmons and Ferrell in the parking lot. Simmons, holding a can of mace, and Ferrell, displaying a knife, began approaching the victim, saying, “Give me your bag,” according to the affidavit.

The victim reported being punched and kicked in the face, arms and back by the two women, as well as other unknown females. Karr reviewed hospital discharge forms that showed the victim had suffered facial, back and upper extremity contusions, as well as a head injury, according to the affidavit.

The victim also reported Simmons and Ferrell stole her wallet containing $380 in cash, as well as Xanax pills and suboxone. She positively identified both defendants from a photo array, the affidavit states.

A restitution order for $25 was entered Tuesday, but Riley indicated it could be amended later. Rubio did not object.

Ferrell, 23, of the 100 block of North Hobart Street in Philadelphia, is scheduled to appear before Amoroso July 3 on charges of robbery, conspiracy, simple assault, theft and receiving stolen property, according to online court records. She is represented by attorney John Flannery.