MIDDLETOWN – A 47-year-old Middletown man faces six years in state prison when sentenced in May following his guilty plea to a violent robbery and assault in that city last year.
Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said David Johnson pled guilty to robbery on Friday, March 8 and in addition to the prison time, he will face five years of post-release supervision.
It is alleged that Johnson approached a man who was entering a grocery store and demanded money. After the victim complied, he walked away only for Johnson to pursue him, grab him by the throat and knock him to the ground.
Johnson then repeatedly punched the victim in the face knocking him unconscious.
Middletown Police observed part of the attack on a street camera and located Johnson in a common area closet in an apartment where he had fled.
The victim’s wallet was recovered inside the closet.
At the plea proceeding Johnson admitted to forcibly stealing the man’s property and injuring him.
“This brazen violence, committed in broad daylight, underscores the need to hold violent criminals accountable for their actions, Hoovler said.
He credited the rapid response by Middletown Police to ensure the victim received immediate medical attention, but that Johnson was promptly located and arrested.
