Man charged with attempted armed robbery of cab driver

LYNN – A judge ordered an East Boston man held without bail on prior charges and set $1,000 cash bail for new alleged offenses after the suspect allegedly tried to rob a cab driver at knifepoint then, after being chased, laid down in the street and claimed the cabbie ran him over.The cab driver, meanwhile, fell to the ground, as his pacemaker started going off, according to police.”The Hispanic male then lunged towards (the alleged victim) with the knife and fled up Joyce Street,” the cab driver told officers, according to a report by Lynn Police Officer John Clem. “Across from 8 Joyce St., the Hispanic male laid down in the street and started to scream ?you hit me!’ You hit me with your car.'”Neftali Diaz, 42, of 238 Everett St. #1, E. Boston, was arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, a knife; armed assault to rob; and disorderly conduct; at 9:25 p.m. Sunday.He was arraigned on the charges Monday in Lynn District Court where a plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf.Police responded to Union Street at 9:07 p.m. Sunday when a taxi driver reported being robbed at knifepoint. A passerby also reported the incident, according to police. The alleged victim (who was being treated by an ambulance) told officers he had just dropped a customer off on Jefferson Street and had parked opposite China Bowl on Union Street, police reported.The alleged victim told officers the suspect, identified as Diaz, approached and tried to rob him at knifepoint. The alleged victim said he followed the suspect up Joyce Street, where the suspect threw the knife into a driveway, according to police.Diaz then allegedly laid down in the street, disrupting traffic and attracting neighborhood residents. Police reported recovering the knife, which the alleged victim positively identified. The alleged victim also positively identified Diaz as the person who had held him up, according to police.Police took the cab driver to the hospital while Diaz was taken to the police station. Police reported Diaz smelled of alcohol, was slurring his speech and was “belligerent and yelling obscenities at officers.”Essex Assistant District Attorney Andrew Boyd requested $2,500 cash bail for the new charges and that bail be revoked on previous charges of larceny; assault; and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon; out of East Boston.Judge James Wexler ordered $1,000 cash bail for the new charges and revoked bail on the East Boston charges.Diaz is scheduled to return to court March 25.