Four Charged in Griffith Robbery
Four Lake County residents are facing felony charges following a reported robbery outside a Griffith auto parts store that left a victim injured. One of the suspects is also facing additional felony drug charges stemming from a separate arrest the following day in Munster.
According to court documents, the robbery occurred on December 21, 2025, at approximately 3:40 p.m., outside O’Reilly Auto Parts, 600 E. Ridge Road in Griffith. The victim told police he had been brought to the location by Thomas Christiano Diaz, 33, of Munster. While Diaz and a female passenger entered the store, the victim remained in the back seat and noticed a blue Kia parked nearby with multiple occupants inside.
Court records state the victim became suspicious, exited the vehicle, and took a photo of the Kia’s license plate. As he attempted to walk toward the store, he was allegedly rushed by Diaz, Anthony John Alvarez Jr., 25, of Gary, and Jamal Donta Haskins, 33, of Gary. The victim reported he was knocked to the ground, held down, and searched, and that approximately $110 was taken from his pockets. During the incident, one of the men allegedly stated, “You don’t want this, I will put one in you.”
The affidavit states the driver of the Kia, Misti Marie Harbison, 41, of Gary, was yelling for the men to take the victim’s phone after he photographed the vehicle. The victim reported he was able to hold onto his phone as the suspects fled the area in two separate vehicles, leaving him on the ground. He later reported pain, soreness, and numbness to his arm as a result of the incident.
Police later located the blue Kia parked in front of a residence in the 2800 block of Hanley Street in Gary. Alvarez was found in the front yard, Haskins was observed running from the back of the residence, and Harbison was located inside the home. The victim was transported to the scene and positively identified all three as participants in the robbery. He later identified Diaz through a photo array as one of the suspects involved.
Court documents further state that on December 22, 2025, at approximately 7:31 p.m., officers located Diaz in Munster after receiving information that he was wanted in connection with the Griffith robbery. Officers observed a white Ford Focus believed to be operated by Diaz and conducted a traffic stop near River Drive and Hohman Avenue following a brief pursuit.
After Diaz was taken into custody, officers searched the vehicle and located hypodermic syringes, glass pipes, and suspected narcotics concealed within the center console. Field testing later indicated the presence of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine residue, with the suspected fentanyl/methamphetamine mixture weighing approximately 0.7 grams, according to court records.
Charges filed December 23,2025:
Misti Marie Harbison
• Robbery Resulting in Bodily Injury — Level 3 Felony
Anthony John Alvarez Jr.
• Robbery Resulting in Bodily Injury — Level 3 Felony
Jamal Donta Haskins
• Robbery Resulting in Bodily Injury — Level 3 Felony
Thomas Christiano Diaz —
• Robbery Resulting in Bodily Injury — Level 3 Felony
• Possession of Methamphetamine (<5g) — Level 6 Felony
• Possession of a Narcotic Drug (<5g) — Level 6 Felony
• Unlawful Possession of a Syringe — Level 6 Felony
• Possession of Paraphernalia (Introducing a Controlled Substance into the Body) — Class C Misdemeanor
