Police: Masked Thief, 'Victim' Arrested in Armed Jericho Robbery

Photo: (l-r) Eric D. James and Ryan E. Diaz

A Bay Shore man and his co-conspirator, who acted as a victim in the robbery, were arrested after police said they worked together to steal drug paraphernalia from a 17-year-old inside his Jericho home Saturday night.

According to authorities, the resident and his 20-year-old “friend” were inside his Forest Drive home when a robber in a white mask entered through the unlocked front door, displayed a black handgun and demanded cash at 10:24 p.m.

The robber, who was later identified as Eric D. James, 29, ordered both victims into the resident’s bedroom after the teen reportedly said he did not have any cash.

Authorities said James forcibly removed a Rolex watch worn by the 20-year-old victim, who was later identified as Ryan E. Diaz, of Muttontown. James then demanded drugs after observing drug paraphernalia lying on the floor of a closet, police said.

The victim handed over a bag that contained a brown leafy mixture believed to be marijuana /synthetic marijuana and James fled on foot with the proceeds, police said.

Responding officers searched the area and observed a 2003 Nissan Altima speeding past stop signs on Birch Park Drive and initiated a traffic stop on Broadway in the area of Columbia Drive.

Police said the driver of the car matched the description of the Forest Drive robber and placed James under arrest.

Further investigation revealed that Diaz was a co-conspirator in the robbery and he was placed into police custody without incident, police said.

James was charged with first degree robbery, first degree burglary, third degree criminal possession of a weapon, seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal possession of marijuana and vehicle and traffic law violations.

Diaz was charged with second degree robbery and making a false written statement.

Diaz was previously arrested in 2013 in connection to the “Flush the Johns’ prostitution sting. The undercover operation resulted in the arrest of 104 men on charges of soliciting a prostitute. Diaz, who was 17 at the time, was the youngest of the men arrested, the Daily Mail reports.

Both men will be arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead on Monday.

Images via NCPD