WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — Two teenagers who used a fake gun to rob a third teen were arrested within a few minutes of the crime, police said.
The two boys, 14 and 15, whose names are being withheld because of their age, robbed a 17-year-old on Broadway near 170th Street at roughly 12:30 p.m. on June 2, police said.
The suspects allegedly threatened the victim with a fake pistol and told him to give them his iPhone, police said. According to the criminal complaint, one of the suspects showed the fake gun at the victim and said, "Hurry up before I shoot you."
After the pair fled the scene, a description of the suspects was sent out over the radio. Two officers saw two teens that fit the description of the suspects on St. Nicholas Avenue and 175th Street at about 12:50 p.m.
The victim was able to identify the suspects, who were then arrested.
The fake pistol and the victim's phone were recovered, police said.
Both suspects were charged with second degree robbery.
They were released on their own recognizance with a curfew in place, according to the District Attorney's office. They are due back in court on August 31, according to court records.
Crime has recently been up in the 33rd Precinct, with 57 major crimes happening from April 27 to May 24, compared to 45 for the 28-day period from March 30 to April 26, according to NYPD data.
The increase was led by assaults and grand larcenies. Robberies stayed almost level, with seven during the most recent 28-day period and six for the 28-day period before that.
