Cops: Two Men Charged with Robbery in Jericho; Masked Intruder Demanded Cash, Jewelry; Caught During Getaway

LONG ISLAND, NY – Nassau County Police have arrested two men for Robbery from an incident that occurred in Jericho on Saturday, July 25, 2015 at 10:24 pm.

According to detectives, a 17 year old male resident and his twenty year old male friend were inside a Forest Drive home when Eric D. James, 29, of Bay Shore entered through an unlocked front door wearing a white mask. He Approached the 17 year old victim and displayed a handgun and demanded cash.

Eric D. James, 29, of Bay Shore was charged with Robbery 1st Degree, Burglary 1st Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree, Criminal Possession of Marijuana, Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.

After the victim explained he had no cash on him Eric D. James ordered both victim’s to the bedroom and forcibly removed a Rolex watch worn by the 20 year old victim. James then demanded drugs after observing drug paraphernalia lying on the floor of a closet. The victim complied by handing over a bag that contained a brown leafy mixture believed to be marijuana or synthetic marijuana. The defendant then fled on foot on Forest Drive with the proceeds.

Second Precinct Police were called and began conducting a search of the area. A Nassau Police Canine Officer who was responding to assist observed a 2003 Nissan Altima was traveling at a high rate of speed and passing stop signs west on Birch Park Drive. A Vehicle Traffic Law stop was conducted on Broadway in the vicinity of Columbia Drive, Jericho.

Ryan E. Diaz, 20, of Muttontown was charged with Robbery 2nd Degree, Making a False Written Statement.

The investigation revealed the driver Eric D. James matched the description broadcasted from the robbery. He was placed into police custody without incident. All proceeds were recovered including a  white mask and the hand gun. Further investigation revealed that the 20 year old victim, Ryan E. Diaz, 20, of Muttontown was a co-conspirator in the Robbery. He was also placed into police custody without incident. There were no injuries reported.

Eric D. James was charged with Robbery 1st Degree, Burglary 1st Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree, Criminal Possession of Marijuana, Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.

Ryan E. Diaz is charged with Robbery 2nd Degree, Making a False Written Statement.

Both men are scheduled be arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead today, Monday, July 27, 2015.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.