BOSTON, Feb. 17, 2015— A Hyde Park man was arraigned last week on charges he wielded a Taser while attempting to rob a man who had arranged through Facebook to sell a third person a pair of sneakers, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

MESHACH SICOT (D.O.B. 6/30/95) was arraigned in West Roxbury Municipal Court Wednesday on charges of armed assault with intent to rob and assault with a dangerous weapon in connection with the incident on Greenwood Street.  Assistant District Attorney Christopher Aiello requested bail of $5,000 and that Sicot’s bail be revoked in an open case out of the same court charging uttering, counterfeiting, and larceny.  Judge Paul McManus imposed $1,000 bail and ordered Sicot to wear a GPS monitor, abide by a curfew, and stay away and have no contact with the victim in the event he is released on bail.  He declined to revoke Sicot’s open bail.

At approximately 3:45 p.m. Feb. 10, several people flagged down a Boston Police officer traveling on Greenwood Street while pointed out a male walking away from the group, later identified as Sicot.  The witnesses told police that the man was seen menacing a male victim on the street; when confronted by witnesses, Sicot walked away.  The victim informed Boston Police that he had traveled from Medford to sell a pair of Jordan sneakers for $550 in a deal arranged on Facebook.  When the victim refused the purported buyer’s demand to give up the sneakers without payment, Sicot allegedly produced a Taser and approached the victim with the weapon sparking electricity, prosecutors said.  Passersby observed the victim backing away from Sicot and intervened.

“Witnesses near the scene didn’t just prevent a robbery or worse, they also gave assistance to police that helped identify the alleged perpetrator,” Conley said. “It’s a simple equation: more cooperating witnesses means more cases solved.”

As the officer attempted to turn his cruiser around on Greenwood Street, a male repeatedly walked in front of the cruiser in an apparent attempt to prevent the officer from pursuing the assailant.  The man was identified as the same man who had arranged to purchase the sneakers from the victim.  These actions and the snowbanks lining the street forced the officer to chase after Sicot on foot.

The officer was able to catch up with Sicot and place him under arrest.  The Taser was not located.

An investigation into the incident – and the identity of the third party – remains active.

Sicot was represented by Robert Tobin.  He returns to court March 13.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.