BATTERY PARK CITY — A 15-year-old out walking his dogs Wednesday evening was pepper sprayed in the face after he refused to give up his iPhone to two young men, police said.
The Battery Park City teen was taking his family pets to the North End Avenue dog run, at Warren Street and North End Avenue, at about 7:40 p.m. when he was approached by two young men riding Citi Bikes.
One of the riders asked if he could use the teen's iPhone to call his mother. When he refused, one of the young men doused his face with pepper spray, police said.
They tried to grab the teen's phone, but ended up fleeing on their bikes without it, police said.
Paramedics treated the young man at the scene, and he declined to be taken to the hospital, police said.
Police are still investigating the incident.
