Kevin Diaz, 18, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty by a jury on Oct. 5 of robbery, assault with intent to rob, and other charges in an early morning hold-up that took place in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood on Tuesday, Apr. 25, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Acting Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The verdict was returned following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Michael Ryan scheduled sentencing for Dec. 15.
According to the government’s evidence, on Apr. 25, at approximately 8 a.m., a construction worker and a roofer arrived near the 1600 block of Lamont Street, NW to begin remodeling and repair work on a local business. As the construction worker waited in the alley near Lamont Street, Diaz, wearing chin-length hair, a distinctive outfit, bright red shoes, and brandishing an ice pick, approached him.
Diaz demanded money, claimed membership in the 18th Street gang, and threatened to kill the worker if he did not comply with his demands. That worker did not give Diaz any money, so Diaz turned his attention to the roofer, who had arrived in his truck minutes after the construction worker. Diaz again brandished the ice pick, demanded money, claimed membership in a gang, and threatened to kill the roofer. The roofer, who was scared for his life, went to his truck, pulled out $20, and gave it to Diaz. Diaz took the money and left.
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to the scene and collected surveillance footage that showed Diaz wearing the distinctive haircut and outfit as described by the two victims and an eyewitness. They then began to canvas the area.
About an hour later, officers found Diaz about 10 blocks away, wearing his chin-length hair and the same outfit. After Diaz was identified by the construction worker and roofer as the assailant, he was taken into custody. He has remained held since the incident.
In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Graves and Acting Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the MPD. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel White and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacqueline Yarbro and William Lawrence who prosecuted the case.
