Putnam Man Sentenced In Attempted Armed Robbery

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — A Putnam County man will be going to prison after being sentenced for his participation in a New Rochelle armed robbery. Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino Jr. said Brian Dias, 32, of Mahopac, will serve two concurrent sentences of 10 years in prison, with five years' post-release supervision, for an attempted armed robbery of a New Rochelle drug store in July 2018.

Dias pleaded guilty in October 2018 to first-degree robbery and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, felonies.

Co-defendant Tiana Spearmon, 22, of Mahopac, pleaded guilty in October 2018 to second-degree attempted criminal possession of a weapon, a felony. Her sentencing was adjourned to March 7.

Dias and Spearmon drove to Main Street Pharmacy at 761 Main St. In New Rochelle around 3:15 p.m. July 13, 2018.

While Spearmon waited in the car, Dias went into the store, put on a black mask and gloves and pulled out a loaded handgun, police said.

He pointed the gun at the pharmacist and demanded money.

The pharmacist refused to hand over any money, saying, in effect, "Just shoot me, then."

Dias did not fire his gun and left the store without taking anything.

Police said that on his way out he dropped a black left-handed glove which was recovered by police.

As Dias and Spearmon drove away, their vehicle was captured on video as it traveled through New Rochelle.

The Georgia license plate was identified and used to locate the pair.

They were arrested July 22, 2018.

A search warrant was executed on their car, and the loaded gun, mask and matching right-handed glove were recovered.

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Photo caption: From left, Brian Dias and Tiana Spearmon. Photo credit: Westchester County District Attorney's Office.