ROSELLE PARK — Yesterday at 3:13 p.m., three 13-year-old juvenile males from Roselle Park were walking home from school when they were approached from behind by two older juvenile males from Roselle.
The suspects were described as black males, one shorter than the other wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and the other was described as taller, wearing a green army type jacket. Both tried to take one of the other victim’s wallet and cell phone.
None of the young boys were seriously injured, however one was complaining of pain in his arm from the fall he took after being taken to the ground. One of the victims managed to call 9-1-1 for help, just as the suspects fled on foot in different directions.
Police were dispatched and searched the surrounding streets. Lt. Manuel Jimenez located a juvenile male walking South on Berwyn St and E. Westfield Ave. detaining the juvenile while a positive identification was made by one of the victims.
Ptl. William Hannon assisted with arrest of the 15-year-old suspect. A few minutes later Det. Matthew Disano and Det. Robert Harms located and apprehended the second suspect, 16, on E. 5th Ave at Poplar St. in Roselle who was also identified by the victims. The cell phone was recovered.
Both suspects were arrested and charged with the following: Robbery (2nd degree), Attempted theft (3rd degree), Theft (4th degree), Tampering with evidence (4th degree) and Simple Assault (D.P.)
They were transported to the Union County Juvenile Detention Facility in Linden, awaiting their court appearance.