Unhoused Woman Arrested for Assaulting and Robbing Elderly Victims in Burlington

In a disturbing series of incidents, a 39-year-old woman named Melody Phillips has been accused of assaulting and robbing two elderly men in Burlington, Vermont. The crimes, which occurred in broad daylight, have left the community shaken and authorities determined to hold the perpetrator accountable.

Preying on the Vulnerable: A Troubling Pattern of Attacks

Assault and Robbery at an ATM

On Wednesday morning, Burlington police officers on foot patrol in the Downtown Marketplace were flagged down by a witness who reported a nearby assault and robbery. According to the police, Melody Phillips, a 39-year-old woman, had assaulted and robbed a 72-year-old man while he was withdrawing money from an ATM on Church Street. Witnesses reported that Phillips had knocked the victim to the ground and forcibly taken his wallet and money before fleeing the scene. Officers later located and arrested Phillips two hours later in the neighboring city of Winooski.

Targeting the Elderly: A Disturbing Escalation

The police investigation revealed an even more troubling pattern of behavior. Witnesses corroborated that Phillips had also robbed another elderly man, a 97-year-old, just four days earlier. In that incident, Phillips allegedly leaped in front of the victim's walker, stealing his wallet after he had willingly given her the previous day. The elderly man reportedly pleaded with Phillips to return the wallet, which contained no money, and she complied, only to then reach into his other pocket and steal an additional .

Stealing from Local Businesses

The police release also specified that Phillips had stolen tip money from a local business on Church Street, further exacerbating the community's concerns about her actions.

Judicial Response and Violation of Conditions

Due to Phillips' unhoused status, a judge had initially decreed that her release conditions would be to avoid the victims and Church Street, rather than imposing a traditional curfew. However, officers later encountered Phillips on Church Street at 3:50 p.m. on July 11, indicating that she had violated the court's conditions.

Facing New Charges and Bail

As a result of her alleged violations, Phillips is now lodged on ,000 bail and was scheduled to answer to new charges on Friday morning. The community waits with bated breath to see how the justice system will respond to these disturbing incidents and the ongoing threat posed by the accused.