Harrisburg Man Convicted in Solobay Attack

A Harrisburg man accused of attacking state Sen. Tim Solobay was convicted in Dauphin County court Tuesday on charges of robbery and conspiracy, online court records show.

Both are felony counts.

Sharief Hand, one of four people who police said confronted Solobay in September 2010, is now in Dauphin Count Prison awaiting sentencing. His bail was set at $250,000, court records show.

, today expressed his appreciation to police and prosecutors who secured the conviction of Hand nearly two years after he confronted the senator on a Harrisburg street.

“Sometimes you don’t appreciate the seriousness of what’s happening on our streets until it literally jumps right in your face,” Solobay said in a statement. “It’s not TV. It’s real and there are police officers and prosecutors who live with it every day. My respect for them is enormous.”

The lawmaker added: “This was a difficult case because these guys were wearing masks and it was late at night,” Solobay said. “The investigators and the prosecutors stayed with it and their determination will get at least one of these people off the street.”

Solobay was unharmed in the robbery attempt and testified at both trials.

“It’s sad to see young men make such terrible decisions, but at the same time there are plenty of young people who grow up in tough circumstances who look for a job instead of a gun,” he said. “I hope the judge sends a message that armed robbery will come with very serious, long-term consequences.”