⏱ 2 min read
Richard J. Vardenski, a 57-year-old man from Charlestown, Massachusetts, walked into a convenience store in Burlington’s Old North End on August 25, 2024, and robbed it at gunpoint. The ‘gun’ was later revealed to be a BB-gun. Vardenski made off with approximately $500 in cash and a pack of cigarettes. He was already on federal supervised release at the time of the crime, and has a history of federal convictions for bank robbery and assault.
The robbery sparked a collaborative investigation between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Burlington Police Department. Vardenski’s guilty plea to interfering with commerce by robbery came before his sentencing on March 27, 2026.
Vardenski’s criminal history is marked by violence and disregard for the law. His sentence of 66 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, reflects the seriousness of his crimes. The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating violent crime and protecting communities.
The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua L. Banker, while Vardenski was represented by Evan Barquist, Esq. First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt praised the cooperative efforts of the investigating agencies.
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📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Violent Crime
- Defendant: Vermont
- Location: VT
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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