Third Squad detectives report the details of two arrests for a robbery that occurred Saturday, Dec. 23, at 2:55 p.m. in East Garden City.
According to detectives, the defendant, James Guinan, 23, of Valley Stream, allegedly acted in consort with defendant Michael O'Brien, 22, of Garden City, to commit a robbery of a Citibank patron at 600 Old Country Road in East Garden City.
O'Brien, according to police reports, was previously employed at this particular branch and prepared numerous transactions with the victim on prior occasions and had knowledge that the victim made large deposits in the afternoon. Both defendants allegedly waited for the victim to arrive to make a deposit. Guinan then allegedly exited the vehicle, walked up to the victim and grabbed the victim's Citibank deposit bag, knocking her to the ground and causing an injury to her knee. The defendant was fleeing eastbound on foot to the awaiting vehicle allegedly operated by O'Brien when several witnesses chased and tackled Guinan. Witnesses held Guinan until officers arrived. O'Brien fled the area in his vehicle.
At 6:30 p.m. Detectives Faltings and McNally responded to O'Brien's residence and placed him into custody. Guinan and O'Brien were arrested and both charged with second-degree robbery. They were both slated for arraignment in First District Court in Hempstead Dec. 23.