A Yonkers man, Shawn Lucas, 37, has been sentenced to 12 years in state prison, with an additional five years of post-release supervision, for his involvement in a terrifying armed robbery that took place in 2021. The sentencing was announced by Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah on June 16th, 2023.
The incident occurred on December 27th, 2021, around 7:54 p.m. as the victim entered his apartment building in Yonkers. Lucas followed and approached him, brandishing a loaded pellet gun that resembled a real firearm. He demanded the victim’s wallet and cell phone. The victim complied, handing over his belongings, which included $45, a debit card, and identification cards.
Fortunately, the incident was captured on surveillance video, enabling the Yonkers Police Department to quickly apprehend Lucas. The victim’s cell phone was tracked to Warburton Avenue, where the police arrested Lucas as he attempted to hand the pellet gun to another individual. A foot pursuit ensued, during which Lucas fell and dropped the weapon, which was later confirmed to be the same one used in the robbery. While a good Samaritan returned the victim’s wallet and identification cards, the cell phone, cash, and debit card remain unrecovered.
Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Z. Marcus prosecuted the case before Judge Robert Prisco in Westchester County Court. The defendant, Shawn Lucas, 37, was found guilty of Robbery in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, and Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, all felonies, after a two-week trial in April 2023. This was Lucas’ second felony offense, which contributed to the severity of his sentence.
DA Rocah emphasized the impact of the incident on the victim.
This was a terrifying incident for an unsuspecting victim who was coming home and held the door for someone who ultimately held him at gunpoint. Thanks to cell phone technology and the Yonkers police, this defendant was apprehended right away, and convicted by a jury of his peers
