Middletown Man Sentenced In Smoke Shop Robbery Attempt: DA

MIDDLETOWN, NY — A local man was sentenced Monday to eight years in prison for an attempted robbery of a smoke shop last summer.

Fritznel Beauchamps, 47, of Middletown, was sentenced in Orange County Court.

After he serves the eight years, he will be subject to post-release supervision for another five years, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s office.

Beauchamps previously entered a guilty plea to first-degree attempted robbery. According to prosecutors, he had three prior robbery-related convictions.

District Attorney David M. Hoovler said of the sentence, “Repeat offenders who commit violent crimes deserve lengthy prison sentences. The streets of Middletown will be safer for the near decade this defendant will be incarcerated.”

The attempted robbery happened on July 9, 2024. According to the district attorney’s office, Beauchamps entered a smoke shop in Middletown and approached an employee while displaying a knife. He then said, “Give me all the money in the register or I will kill you,” prosecutors said.

The employee was able to back away and get to safety, and Beauchamps left the store, according to the district attorney’s office.