FLINT – Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said a jury returned a guilty verdict today against a Flint resident for armed robbery and carjacking.
According to testimony at trial, Delon Deon Thomas, 32, contacted the victim on a dating website and the two agreed to meet in Saginaw where the victim resides. The pair then drove to the East Village Inn in downtown Flint. Later, the defendant had the victim, who was unfamiliar with Flint and its streets and neighborhoods, drive him to an abandoned home under the pretext it was the defendant’s home.
Once at the abandoned home, the defendant pulled out a sawed-off shotgun from his duffel bag and threated to kill the victim if the victim did not give him his wallet, cell phone and vehicle. The victim complied with the defendant’s demands and was able to report the incident to Flint Police.
Eleven days after the robbery, Flint Police discovered victim’s car while they were investigating a breaking and entering complaint. A few days later, yet another stolen vehicle from Grand Rapids was found in defendant’s possession.
“This defendant has caused tremendous grief for many individuals and he now faces a very lengthy prison sentence for his actions,” said Leyton.
Thomas has a criminal history including auto thefts dating back to when he was a juvenile. He will be sentenced with habitual offender fourth status and faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced on October 18.
