Botched jewel heist gets Nicetown man 30 years

A Philadelphia man was sentenced yesterday to 30 years in prison for the armed robbery of North Philadelphia jewelry store that ended in a bloody shootout, authorities said.

Anthony T. Alston, 49, of the Nicetown section, was arrested Dec. 17, 2003 by police who found him suffering from three gunshot wounds in the doorway of Rush Jewelers on Germantown Avenue. Alston was on his knees, trying to get rid of blood-soaked money in his pocket, police said.

Minutes before, Alston had robbed and shot the shop owner, Alex Patlakh, who was 58 at the time. As Alston attempted to flee with money and jewels, Patlakh shot Alston, said Pat Meehan, United States Attorney.

Alston, who had a previous conviction for murder, was prohibited at the time from possessing a firearm, Meehan said.

In addition to the lengthy prison sentence, Alston must serve five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Alston was also ordered to pay fines, assessments and restitution totalling $3,175.