UPDATE: A homeless man has just waived his preliminary hearing in a serious bank robbery case in Upper Darby, raising immediate concerns about public safety. Michael McGuigan, aged 49, was charged with two felony counts of robbery and one misdemeanor count of theft after the attempted robbery of a Bank of America on October 8, 2023.
In a shocking turn of events, McGuigan, originally from Philadelphia, chose not to contest the charges during a scheduled hearing on November 6, 2023. According to authorities, Upper Darby Detective Mazen Malak reported that police were dispatched to the bank at 10:32 a.m. following the attempted robbery.
Witnesses described McGuigan as a white man with blond hair and short facial hair, wearing a green shirt and dark green pants, notably marked by tattoos on his hands. Officers located him standing outside the bank and he reportedly admitted to attempting the robbery.
Inside the bank, a teller recounted a startling encounter where McGuigan allegedly attempted to force his hand through a small customer service window, demanding, “Give me the money.” When asked if this was a robbery, he confirmed with a chilling, “Yes it is.”
Legal representation for McGuigan, attorney Devon Potts, facilitated the waiver of the preliminary hearing. In a negotiated agreement, the Assistant District Attorney Christopher Downey agreed to withdraw the misdemeanor theft charge, pending a nontrial disposition at Common Pleas Court. Should this not occur, the theft charge will likely be reinstated for trial.
McGuigan remains in custody at the county jail in Concord and is next scheduled for a formal arraignment on December 31, 2023, at the County Courthouse in Media. This case has sparked significant public interest and raises critical questions about the circumstances leading to such desperate actions.
As this story develops, further updates will be provided, highlighting the ongoing legal proceedings and their implications for community safety. Stay tuned for more information as authorities continue to investigate this alarming incident.
