23-Year-Old Targeted Rockland Cabbies In Armed Robberies

SPRING VALLEY, NY — A Spring Valley 23-year-old whose four-week armed robbery spree last fall targeted local taxi drivers has pleaded guilty, Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe announced Monday. He was on probation at the time — for drug dealing.

Demond Vaughan pleaded guilty to one count of Robbery in the First Degree, a class “B” violent felony; and one count of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the First Degree, a class "C" felony. Also, he admitted to a violation of probation arising out of the conviction in this case. Vaughan was on felony probation for Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree at the time he committed the string of assaults and robberies.

"The defendant has admitted to committing a series of serious felonies - including knifepoint assaults on local cab drivers - during a four-week armed robbery spree,” Zugibe said. "Simply put, he terrorized our local taxi industry. He has proven himself to be a menace to others and deserves many years in prison.”

From Oct. 30 to Nov. 20, 2017, Vaughan summoned taxi cabs on at least seven separate occasions.

On Oct. 30, following a cab ride through Spring Valley, Vaughan provided a counterfeit $100 bill to pay for the $35 fare.

In another incident, on Halloween, after summoning a cab in Spring Valley, Vaughan and another person held a knife to the driver’s neck and directed the victim to hand over his cash.

Then on Nov. 11, following a cab ride in Spring Valley, he attacked the driver as he counted change, stole $100 from the victim’s hand and fled.

On Nov. 17, he and another person chased and violently assaulted a taxi driver in Spring Valley, ultimately stealing $100 from the victim.

Vaughan was arrested following investigations by the Spring Valley Police Department, the Town of
Ramapo Police Department and the Town of Haverstraw Police Department.

Sentencing will be on Nov. 27.

Vaughan faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison and five years post release supervision. In
addition, orders of protections will be issued for each the victims and the defendant will be required to
pay restitution.

Supervising Assistant District Attorney Nabeela McLeod prosecuted the case.