Queens, NY — A man accused of shoving his ex-fiancée to the ground while trying to reclaim a $28,000 engagement ring appeared in Queens Criminal Court Thursday alongside his sister, both facing attempted robbery and attempted grand larceny charges.
Carlos Lora Diaz, 38, and his sister Lucie Lora, 34, allegedly attacked the woman on April 24, after returning to the Jackson Heights apartment they once shared. Prosecutors say a dispute broke out over the ring, ending with the woman being knocked down and injured.
Assistant District Attorney Isabelle Dudek said the victim suffered “bleeding, redness and swelling to her hand and substantial pain to her hip” during the struggle. Lora Diaz allegedly tried to yank the ring from her hand while shouting, “Take the ring!”
Defense attorney James Neville, representing Lora Diaz, welcomed the restraining order placed on his client. “He should have nothing to do with this woman ever again,” Neville said in court. Outside, he added, “Once this is over, my client should send her a fruit basket — not marrying her was the best thing ever.”
Neville acknowledged Lora Diaz did try to retrieve the ring, but claimed his client never used force. “She threw herself on the floor,” he said, disputing the allegations.
Lucie Lora was arrested after a wanted poster showed her in a revealing outfit; she appeared in court wearing a sweatsuit and cried after her arraignment.
Despite the $28,000 value of the ring and the alleged injuries, both siblings were released without bail. Lucie Lora was freed on her own recognizance, while Lora Diaz was placed on supervised release.
Neither left with the ring, and the investigation is ongoing.
