Suffolk County, NY - January 7, 2016 - Suffolk County Police Third Squad detectives arrested three men on January 5 in connection with several robberies that were part of a pattern of crimes committed primarily in the Third Precinct area over a period of time.
On January 5, 2016, two males wearing hoodies and masks, entered the Bazar La Bonita, located at 135 East Main St., Bay Shore, and displayed what appeared to be handguns, demanded cash and fled after taking the money from the register at approximately 7:15 p.m.
At approximately 7:30 p.m. two males matching the description of the suspects in the first robbery entered the Envios de Dinero, located at 1843 Fifth Ave., North Bay Shore, and demanded cash. The suspects fled after taking the money and cellphones.
At approximately 7:50 p.m., Third Precinct police officers attempted to stop a 2016 BMW that was believed to be involved in the robberies. The driver refused to stop and a short time later was involved in a crash with another vehicle at New Highway and Ralph Avenue in Copiague. The occupants of the vehicle fled on foot but were quickly apprehended by responding officers from the First and Third Precincts, as well as Canine and Aviation units. The BMW used by the suspects was determined to be a rental which had been reported stolen.
Mykel McLamb, 19, of North Amityville was charged with Robbery 1st Degree, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 3rd Degree and one outstanding warrant. Jamel Gay, 20, of Bay Shore, was charged with three counts of Robbery 1st Degree, three counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 3rd Degree, two counts of Forgery 2nd Degree and one outstanding warrant. Eric Willis, 20, of East Massapequa, was charged with five counts of Robbery 1st Degree, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property and four counts of Forgery 2nd Degree.
McLamb, Gay and Willis are being held at the Third Precinct and are scheduled to be arraigned today at First District Court in Central Islip.
The investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone with information about these incidences to contact the Third Squad at 631-854-8352 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.