December 19. 2007

JEWELRY STORE ROBBER PLEADS GUILTY

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Nicholas Blagojevic, 27, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge J. Garvan Murtha to robbing a St. Johnsbury, Vermont jewelry store.

On January 24, 2007, Blagojevic and two co-defendants, Wesley Rose and Allison Martino, robbed Dana Jewelry during business hours of about $140,000 worth of jewelry. All three accomplices drove from Massachusetts to Vermont to commit the robbery. Blagojevic and Rose took the sole employee present into a back room, bound her with flex-ties, and stole about $140,000 worth of jewelry. The trio then drove back to Massachusetts, where they were arrested.

On March 15, 2007, Blagojevic, Martino and Rose were indicted by a federal Grand Jury in Burlington, Vermont on charges of interstate robbery by force, and interstate transportation of stolen property. The case was investigated by the Vermont State Police and the FBI.

Blagojevic pleaded guilty to the robbery today. The plea agreement is conditioned upon guilty pleas by both Martino and Rose. Blagojevic has been in custody since early 2007. The court ordered its Probation Office to prepare a presentence report and scheduled sentencing to take place on April 23, 2008. Blagojevic is represented by attorney Chris Davis of Burlington. The United States is represented by William Darrow.