Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that ALBERT DIAZ, 22, of Ronkonkoma, ANGEL ARGUETA, 19, of Ronkonkoma, BASSARNA MALCOM, 18, of Wyandanch, and VASCO ARNAULT, 19, of Wyandanch, were indicted for Robbery in the Second Degree, for forcibly stealing merchandise and cash from the Lucky 7 Smoke Shop in Ronkonkoma.
“Those that would seek to commit retail theft and threaten clerks in the process in Suffolk County should be on notice that they will be held responsible for their conduct. Retail employees in Suffolk County should not have to fear for their safety when they are simply trying to earn a living and do their jobs,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Our goal is to deter criminals from even entertaining the thought of committing such crimes, by ensuring they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and that we seek significant penalties for violent offenses.”
According to the investigation, on September 21, 2023, at approximately 12:35 a.m., DIAZ, ARGUETA, MALCOLM, ARNAULT and a fifth unapprehended co-defendant allegedly ran into the Lucky 7 Smoke Shop in Ronkonkoma as the store employee was preparing to close the shop. DIAZ, ARGUETA, ARNAULT and the unapprehended co-defendant jumped over the counter, while MALCOM allegedly began stealing merchandise.
ARNAULT allegedly grabbed the store clerk by his neck, lifted him in the air, and threatened him. The clerk looked down and saw what appeared to be a handgun sticking out of ARNAULT’s sweatshirt. In fear for his life, the clerk complied and did not fight back. In addition to allegedly stealing merchandise, the defendants also stole an unspecified amount of cash from the register. All five then fled the smoke shop, and the clerk called 911.
A Suffolk County Police Department Highway Enforcement officer patrolling the area reported that he observed the defendants flee the smoke shop and get into a car. The officer followed the defendants’ vehicle until it pulled into a driveway on Terry Road in Ronkonkoma, where four of the defendants allegedly jumped out and fled in different directions. The driver did not flee. After a search of the surrounding area, three of the defendants were apprehended by law enforcement.
DIAZ, ARGUETA, MALCOLM, and ARNAULT were each indicted on two counts of Robbery in the Second Degree, Class C violent felonies.
On October 5, 2023, at MALCOM’s arraignment on the indictment, Judge Senft ordered him held on $30,000 cash, $60,000 bond, or $300,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. MALCOLM is due back in court on November 1, 2023, and he is being represented by Jeremy Scileppi, Esq.
On October 5, 2023, at ARNAULT’s arraignment on the indictment, Judge Senft ordered him held on $50,000 cash, $100,000 bond, or $500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. ARNAULT is due back in court on November 2, 2023, and he is being represented by Natasja Bellinger, Esq.
On October 16, 2023, at DIAZ’s arraignment on the indictment, County Court Judge, the Honorable Anthony S. Senft Jr., ordered him held on $30,000 cash, $60,000 bond, or $90,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. DIAZ is due back in court on November 15, 2023, and is being represented by Anthony Scheller, Esq.
On October 19, 2023, at ARGUETA’s arraignment on the indictment, Judge Senft ordered him held on $60,000 cash, $100,000 bond, or $600,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. ARGUETA is due back in court on November 15, 2023, and is being represented by Joseph Cozzo, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Alexander Sylvan and Elizabeth Lynch of the Major Crime Bureau, with investigative assistance from Detective Alexander Otero of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Fourth Squad.
Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.