BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A woman accused of assaulting and robbing two seniors on Burlington’s Church Street was in court on Friday.
According to police, the crime spree started on Sunday. Investigators say a 97-year-old man was walking on Church Street and gave $20 to Melody Phillips, 39, of Burlington, after she asked for help. Not long after, police say Phillips approached him again.
“He was using a walker. She grabbed the wallet out of his pocket,” Burington Deputy Police Chief Wade Lebrecque said.
Police say he begged for his wallet back after she ran off saying there was no money in it.
“She did bring it back then she reached into his other pocket and took the actual cash out of his pocket and walked away,” Lebrecque said.
A few days later, police say Phillips approached a 72-year-old man at a Church Street ATM.
“The gentleman at the ATM machine was knocked to the ground when she was taking the money,” Lebrecque said.
Police say she took the money and ran.
She was eventually arrested in Winooski, facing a misdemeanor assault and robbery charge.
“To see that type of violence in the daytime– it’s concerning,” Lebrecque said.
People charged with anything less than a felony are not eligible to be held without bail. So Phillips was released on condition that she not go to Church Street. A day later, she was arrested after being seen at the Marketplace, violating her conditions.
Police say they also learned Phillips was a suspect in the incident involving the 97-year-old man and a stolen tip jar.
She was charged with felony larceny of a person and held on $1,000 bail.
Court paperwork states a history of other crimes and mental health issues.
Burlington Business Association Director Kelly Devine says there is concern for the recent robberies in broad daylight.
“This type of behavior is inappropriate for our community downtown in our community space,” Devine said.
Devine points to how state laws are written and how there is a need for more recovery and mental health resources.
“If we are just going to cycle people through these systems, whatever they are, and we don’t help them get better, who are we really helping?” she said.
A judge ordered an in-patient mental health evaluation for Phillips. She’s due back in court on Monday.