A Detroit man was sentenced to 96 years in prison for his role in a brazen smash-and-grab at a jewelry store at Park Meadows.
On March 12, Douglas District Judge David Stevens determined Marquis DeShawn McDonald, 28, is a habitual criminal and sentenced him to concurrent sentences on five counts. In January a jury found McDonald guilty of racketeering under the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act; theft; conspiracy to commit theft; criminal mischief; and aggravated motor vehicle theft.
Marquis DeShawn McDonald
“McDonald and his accomplices came all the way from Michigan to target that store,” said Deputy District Attorney Valerie Brewster, who prosecuted the case. “But that doesn’t get in the way of seeking justice for the victims and making sure the community is safe. We did and will track them down.”
On Aug. 20, 2015, McDonald and three accomplices entered the Park Meadows shopping center in Lone Tree to scope out the Ben Bridge jewelry store. The men had traveled from Detroit with others who were part of a robbery ring.
Two of the men entered the jewelry store about 7:00 p.m. with sledgehammers and destroyed a watch case, stealing or damaging 14 Rolex watches worth more than $284,000. The men ran out of the store, but the accomplice didn’t have the stolen getaway car where it was expected to be.
Passersby and witnesses led law enforcement to the fleeing men, all four of whom were apprehended in the mall’s vicinity shortly after the robbery.
McDonald’s three accomplices have pleaded guilty to various charges and already been sentenced.
“Criminals should not think they can come into this jurisdiction to commit crimes and get away with them,” said District Attorney George Brauchler. “Out-of-state criminals who come here to commit their crimes will find themselves long-time residents of Colorado, just like this guy.
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