BATTERY PARK CITY — A second teenager has been arrested in connection with a robbery and assault that sent two 16-year-olds to the hospital last month, police said.
Police said a 16 year old boy was arrested on Jan. 12 on charges of punching and stealing from the teens as they walked past Murray Street and North End Ave. at 10 p.m. Dec. 19, near the neighborhood's ball fields.
The teen is expected to be arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court as an adult on charges of second degree robbery and misdemeanor assault in connection to the attack, prosecutors said.
A 14 year old — whose name was withheld by authorities because of his age — was charged earlier this week with third-degree robbery, prosecutors said.
Police familiar with the case said the victims and suspects appeared to have known each other and had a dispute, but would not elaborate.
Police said previously that the teen victims were approached "by a group" and were repeatedly punched before one 16-year-old fell to the ground and suffered head injuries. Both teens have since been released from Bellevue Hospital.
The attack spurred further controversy over newly hired private security in the neighborhood. According to a Tribeca Trib report, when a friend of the victims ran to get help during the attack, the AlliedBarton security guard said he couldn't intervene, but called for Park Enforcement Patrol officers.
PEP officers, unlike private security, can make arrests and carry batons and pepper spray.
The Battery Park City Authority has said they will reduce the number of PEP officers with the addition of the security, but, through January, at least, the full 45 PEP officers remain working in the area.
The BPCA had said previously that they stand behind the actions of the security guard, who was the first on the scene.
Police said the investigation is ongoing.
