Mykel McLamb, Jamel Gay and Eric Willis charged in robberies after crashing stolen BMW in North Amityville, police say
Three men were arrested Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016, in two robberies and the theft of a car. They are, from left, Mykel McLamb, 19, of North Amityville; Jamel Gay, 20, of Bay Shore; and Eric Willis, 20, of East Massapequa. Credit: SCPD
Three men accused in an armed robbery and stolen-check cashing spree were arraigned Thursday on charges that include robbery with a firearm, police said.
Mykel McLamb, 19, of North Amityville, Jamel Gay, 20, of Bay Shore, and Eric Willis, 20, of East Massapequa, each were charged with first-degree robbery and criminal possession of stolen property, records show. Gay and Willis also are charged with second-degree forgery after trying to cash stolen checks, authorities said.
Court documents allege the men were involved in the robberies of several businesses, including a small clothing store, as well as check-related crimes, between June 2015 and Jan. 5.
At his arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip, Willis was ordered held on $265,000 cash bail or $530,000 bond. McLamb was ordered held on $35,000 cash bail or $70,000 bond. And Gay was ordered held on $160,000 cash bail or $320,000 bond.
None of the men entered a plea. All are due back in court later this month.
In court papers, investigators said Willis admitted to his role.
“I drove the two guys to the store and they went in with guns and masks,” Willis said, according to his criminal complaint. “When they were done I drove them away and we hit the other store.”
Eric Willis, 20, of Camp Road in East Massapequa, was arrested on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016, and charged with robbery, criminal possession of stolen property and forgery, police said. Credit: SCPD
Willis’ attorney, Robert Flink, of Commack, declined to comment on the accusations against his client.
Attorneys for the other two suspects could not immediately be reached for comment.
Police said the three suspects were arrested about 8 p.m. Tuesday after Suffolk County police officers attempted to stop a stolen 2016 BMW that was believed to be involved in two armed robberies — one in Bay Shore and the other in Brentwood.
The car kept driving and later collided with a vehicle at New Highway and Ralph Avenue, police said. McLamb, Gay, and Willis jumped from the BMW and started running, police said, but were caught by officers from the first and third precincts.
Mykel McLamb, 19, of Andpress Plaza in North Amityville was arrested on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016, and charged with robbery and criminal possession of stolen property, police said. Credit: SCPD
The BMW used by the suspects was a rental that had been reported stolen, police said.
Canine and aviation units also were used in the search after the crash, police said.
A police spokeswoman said the investigation is continuing, with detectives working to link the three suspects to other crimes in the Third Precinct.
It was not clear whether any firearms were recovered.
Put a little love in your heart with the NewsdayTV Valentine's Day Special! From Love Lane in Mattituck, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at ways to celebrate Valentine's Day this year.
Put a little love in your heart with the NewsdayTV Valentine's Day Special! From Love Lane in Mattituck, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at ways to celebrate Valentine's Day this year.
