Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Kids in Central Park Mugging Spree Face Assault Charges, Police Say

 Five juveniles face assault and robbery charges after a Central Park mugging spree, police said.
Five juveniles face assault and robbery charges after a Central Park mugging spree, police said.
View Full Caption
DNAinfo/Trevor Kapp

MANHATTAN — Five children, one as young as 12, were arrested Monday on assault and robbery charges after police say they stole Apple electronics from two Central Park joggers and slugged another man who refused to hand over his cash.

The suspects — aged 12, 13, 14 and 16 — were expected to be arraigned on charges of robbery, assault and attempted assault, an NYPD spokesman said.

They are suspected of starting their spree at 5:15 a.m. Monday near 95th Street and Fifth Avenue, where they approached a 31-year-old man, menaced him with a stick, then punched him in the face when he refused to hand over his cash, police said.

Fifteen minutes later, the kids stole an iPhone and an iPod from two female joggers, aged 46 and 48, near the reservoir at 96th Street, sources said.

Four of the suspects' names were withheld because of their ages, but police did identify 16-year-old Angel Munoz. The group split up after the attacks, police said, yet officers were able to track down the 12-year-old, the 13-year-old and one of the 14-year-olds at 96th Street and Fifth Avenue shortly after the incidents.

Munoz and the second 14-year-old walked into the 23rd Precinct stationhouse to surrender, police said.

The victims identified some of the attackers through a series of line-ups conducted Monday afternoon, sources said. 

With reporting by Murray Weiss and Trevor Kapp.