Modesto man’s robbery conviction could get him life in prison

A 47-year-old Modesto man faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for robbing a Patterson store manager who was depositing cash at a bank earlier this year.

A jury on Sept. 10 found Douglas Levon Dawkins guilty of robbery. The defendant had prior convictions for robbery, assault with a deadly weapon while in prison, possession of a firearm and second-degree burglary.

Dawkins is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 9. He is eligible for a sentence of life in prison due to his previous convictions. His latest case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Jeffrey Darnell.

On the morning of June 1, The Dollar Tree store manager was approached by a masked man carrying a replica gun, who demanded the cash. The cash theft was thwarted when the manager put the money into the night deposit box. The robber tried to steal the manager’s wallet but couldn’t find it, so he took the manager’s keys and left. Police didn’t find any suspects.

The following day, Dawkins’ wife called police. She told police that her husband confessed to committing the robbery and provided details of the crime, including where to find replica gun. Police recovered the fake gun and arrested Dawkins at The Dollar Tree store in Modesto, where he was employed. Prosecutors said the manager’s stolen keys were found in Dawkins’ pocket.

Dawkins had been sentenced in September 2013 to 5 years in prison for another theft offense, according to prosecutors. Since California voters approved Proposition 47 in November 2014, Dawkins was allowed to have that felony conviction reduced to a misdemeanor and was released from custody in February.

This story was originally published September 19, 2015 at 6:06 PM with the headline "Modesto man’s robbery conviction could get him life in prison."