Man Charged with Attempting to Rob City Market in Burlington, Vermont
Shawn Foster, 44, of Burlington, has been charged by criminal complaint with interference with interstate commerce by attempted robbery, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced on September 2, 2026.
2 reports on this incident · first at Sep 2, 2026, 2:10 p.m. ET
Earlier reports
Sep 2, 2026, 2:10 p.m. ETFirst report
Burlington Man Charged with Attempted Robbery of City Market
The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont announced on September 2, 2026, that Shawn Foster, 44, of Burlington, Vermont, has been charged by criminal complaint with interference with interstate commerce by attempted robbery. The charge stems from an incident on August 10, 2026, at the City Market in Burlington.
According to court records, Foster entered the store and attempted to leave with a cart full of merchandise without paying. When confronted by an employee outside, he allegedly brandished a knife and threatened to cut and kill the employee before fleeing. He was later identified from security footage and arrested by Burlington Police officers, who found a knife on him.
Foster made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle on September 1, 2026, and was ordered detained. The complaint contains allegations only, and Foster is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The case is only at the charging stage and has not been decided by a court. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the Burlington Police Department and thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for assistance. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Golubock, and Foster is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender.
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Revision history
- Version 12 Sept 2026, 18:22current
First published.
- Version 12 Sept 2026, 18:10current
First published.
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