Man who 'wanted a car,' and took elderly crossing guard's at gunpoint, sentenced to prison
Dearold Dotson
MILWAUKEE -- A man who wanted a vehicle, but none of the cars he wanted were in his price range, convicted of stealing an elderly woman's car at gunpoint, has been sentenced to prison.
Dearold Dotson, 22, of Milwaukee in February pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery with threat of force.
In court on Monday, March 26, Dotson was sentenced to serve three years and six months in prison, and four years extended supervision, with credit for 130 days time served.
Restitution was set at $245.
According to the criminal complaint, on the afternoon of Nov. 14, 2017, a crossing guard, 69, was sitting in her car near North 27th and Clarke Sts., after finishing her crossing guard duties.
Investigators say as her car was running, Dotson and two other men approached her vehicle, opened her driver’s door and pointed a handgun in her face yelling “get out!” The crossing guard exited her vehicle and left her purse and cellphone behind — stating to investigators one of the men demanded she leave her phone in the car.
Dearold Dotson
The crossing guard witnessed two of the men get into her vehicle while one ran from the scene. The men sped off and the victim flagged down a passing motorist who called police.
Officials say on Nov. 17, 2017 — three days after the auto theft — an officer spotted the crossing guard’s stolen vehicle parked and running, with two men asleep inside near 34th and Wright.
During an interview with Dotson, he initially stated he bought the car “eight days ago,” but when he was told the vehicle was stolen he said, “he was not going to lie anymore.”
According to the criminal complaint, Dotson admitted he and two other men were walking around and that he, “just wanted a car to get around.” He told investigators when they spotted the vehicle, one of the men urged him to steal it with a fake .38 revolver.
After taking the car, Dotson admitted to removing the plates. Investigators say Dotson was “apologetic” and stated that he “wanted a car and none of the cars he wanted were in his price range.”