Police Seek Robbers Who Held Up Teen at Lower East Side Playground

LOWER EAST SIDE — Police are looking for two men who robbed a teenager at gunpoint at a Lower East Side playground last week.

The 15-year-old victim was at Little Flower Playground, at Jefferson and Madison streets, about 4:45 p.m. June 12 when he was approached by a man who pulled out a silver gun and demanded money, police said.

The robber, along with an accomplice who served as a lookout, made off with the teen's cell phone and an unspecified amount of cash, police said.

The teen was not hurt, police said.

Police described the suspect with the gun as an 18 or 19-year-old man who stands 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs about 170 pounds.  He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants and a black baseball cap.

The accomplice was described as an 18 or 19-year-old man who stands 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs between 150 and 160 pounds. He was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and black baseball cap.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit tips by logging onto Crime Stoppers' website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to CRIMES (274637), then entering TIP577.