On October 2nd, 2015 at approximately 1640 hours the Burlington Police were called to a disturbance involving multiple male subjects on Handy court near the intersection of Pearl St. Subsequent investigation would find that this event was an assault and robbery in progress.
Burlington Police Detectives later interviewed the victims in this incident. The victims told investigators that they went to the area of Pearl St. and Handy Court to sell a multi ounce package of marijuana to a person known to them. The victims advised that instead of the marijuana transaction occurring, two male subjects assaulted and robbed them, while they were seated in their car near the intersection of Pearl St. and Handy Ct. One of the male subjects was reported to be armed with a handgun and used that handgun to strike one of the victims across the bridge of the nose. Investigators were able to identify the suspects as Dashawn Lightford and Marvin Jones, both 21 years of age. Investigators executed a Search Warrant at the Handy Court home of Lightford and Jones during the early morning hours of October 3rd. Investigators recovered a Glock semi automatic pistol and marijuana during the course of their search.
Lightford and Jones were later arrested and lodged with the Vermont Department of Corrections for lack of $25,000 bail. Assault and robbery is defined:
§ 608. Assault and robbery
(a) A person who assaults another and robs, steals, or takes from his or her person or in his or her presence money or other property which may be the subject of larceny shall be imprisoned for not more than 10 years.
(b) A person who, being armed with a dangerous weapon, assaults another and robs, steals or takes from his or her person or in his or her presence money or other property which may be the subject of larceny shall be imprisoned for not more than 15 years nor less than one year.
(c) If in the attempt or commission of an offense under subsection (a) or (b) of this section, a person causes bodily injury, such person shall be imprisoned for not more than 20 years nor less than one year. Any penalty imposed under this subsection shall be in lieu of any penalty imposed under subsection (a) or (b) of this section.
The relevant conduct in this particular incident is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Lightford and Jones will be arraigned in Chittenden Superior Court – Criminal Division on Monday October 5th, 2015.
