12 Years For Yonkers Armed Robbery That Followed Gesture Of Kindness

YONKERS, NY — A Yonkers man who robbed his victim at the front door of an apartment building has learned his fate.

Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah announced that Shawn Lucas was sentenced to 12 years in prison, with five years of post-release supervision, for a 2021 armed robbery.

"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," Rocah said. "Thanks to cell phone technology and the Yonkers police, this defendant was apprehended right away, and convicted by a jury of his peers."

After a two-week trial in April, a jury found the 37-year-old guilty of robbery in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon and grand larceny. Lucas was sentenced as a second felony offender.

On December 27, 2021, shortly before 8 p.m., Lucas followed the victim as he was entering his apartment building, and demanded the victim's wallet and cell phone, while brandishing a loaded pellet gun, which had the appearance of a firearm.

The victim handed over his cell phone and wallet, which contained $45, a debit card and identification.

Within hours of the incident, which was captured on surveillance video, the Yonkers Police Department arrested Lucas after tracking the victim’s cell phone to Warburton Avenue. Police saw Lucas attempting to hand another man the pellet gun. A brief foot pursuit ensued, during which Lucas fell and dropped the weapon. Police recovered the pellet gun, which the victim later identified as the weapon used during the robbery.

A good Samaritan returned the victim’s wallet and ID cards after finding them on the street near his apartment building. The victim’s cell phone, cash and debit card were never recovered.

The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office Investigators assisted with the investigation. The case was was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Z. Marcus of the Trials and Investigations Division. The District Attorney thanked the Yonkers Police Department for their work and collaboration on this case.