Accused Home Invader was Part of Robbery Duo: Police

Two local 18-year-olds—one of who was out on bail after being arrested in connection with a home invasion in Ossining—are accused of robbing a Peekskill business, according to police.

The incident occurred at East Coast Provisions, located at 1698 Main St. in Peekskill. Officers responded there at about 4:45 a.m. Sept. 20 on a report of an armed robbery.

"Upon arrival a female employee informed the officers that an unknown male had just entered the back office of the business, put a gun to her head and demanded money," officials at the Peekskill Police Department said in a statement. "The employee complied and the subject made off with some checks and cash."

Det. John Bennett took the lead on the case. He and the rest of the detective division conducted an "extensive" investigation that led to the arrest of Peekskill resident Quameik Byrd on Sept. 27 and Verplanck resident Steven Garcia on Thursday, officials said in a statement. Each is facing a felony charge of first-degree robbery.

At the time of the arrest, police say, Garcia was out on bail after being charged in Ossining in connection with a home invasion. He is a former employee of East Coast Provisions. 

"Byrd is suspected to have placed the gun to the employee’s head and Garcia is suspected to be the getaway driver and the one who supplied the layout of the business and coordinated the best time to hit it, due to his prior employment with the business," Lt. John White told Patch.

Peekskill Police have not recovered the gun but were told during the investigation it was a "realistic looking BB gun, similar to the one Garcia had with him when he was arrested on the Ossining charges," White said.

Both defendants are due in Peekskill City Court Tuesday (Oct. 15). Byrd was sent to jail on $250,000 cash bail. Garcia is being held without bail.