On Friday, June 8th, at approximately 5:05 p.m., a 15-year-old Roselle Park resident was assaulted and robbed of his cellphone.
The Roselle Park High School (RPHS) student was walking on Roosevelt Street when he was approached by two (2) males who bumped into him. One of the males reached into the victim’s pocket and removed his cellphone. The victim demanded the return of his phone, resulting in the suspects fleeing the scene. The victim chased the suspect with the phone to West Clay Avenue while the other fled in the opposite direction. The victim cornered the suspect in a yard near Roosevelt Street and was quickly punched and knocked to the ground. The suspect again fled with the cellphone.
The victim made his way onto to West Clay Avenue where he flagged down Patrolman Mitchell White, who was on patrol in the area. Officer White broadcast a description of the suspects and their direction of flight.
Within minutes, Patrolman James Cantrell observed a suspect walking near the Gordon Street bridge. Officer Cantrell detained the suspect, a 16-year-old resident of Roselle.
The victim was brought to the scene and positively identified him as one of the robbery suspects. Patrolman Cantrell soon located the second suspect, a 17-year-old resident of Roselle, walking on West Lincoln Avenue. The second suspect was found to be in possession of the victim’s phone. Both were transported to the Roselle Park Police Department where they were charged with Robbery and related offenses.
Both were later released to their parents and have an appearance pending in Union County Family Court.
The victim refused medical attention and was also released into the custody of his parent(s).