STATEN ISLAND — A 16-year-old girl was sentenced as an adult to four years in prison for a string of knifepoint robberies around Clove Lakes Park.
Franchesea Rivera previously pleaded guilty to attempted robbery for her part in a knifepoint mugging spree around Clove Lakes Park in the summer, District Attorney Michael McMahon announced.
"These defendants callously robbed innocent people in and around Clove Lakes Park, and now they will be held accountable for their crimes," McMahon said in a statement.
"Today's sentencing should serve as a warning to anyone who thinks they can jeopardize the safety and well-being of others and get away with it."
Samuel Russell, 18, was previously sentenced to four years in prison for his role in the robberies and a 14-year-old boy was charged as a juvenile for the crimes, prosecutors said.
Between July 27 and Aug. 1, Rivera and Russell were involved in at least five robberies in and around the park, authorities said.
In each of the instances, Rivera and Russell — either together or separately — would approach the suspect with a knife and demand property, sometimes failing to get anything in the process.
They tried to steal property from one person at the park and another on Aug. 2 in Oakwood but were unsuccessful, prosecutors said.
The two were arrested in August and Russell was hit with 10-count indictment.
Rivera's sentencing comes as New York considers a new policy to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 18 years old in the state. However, the bill does not shield those charged with violent offenses.
Currently, all 16- and 17-year-olds in the state are prosecuted as adults regardless of the crime, one of two states in the country to keep the practice.
► READ MORE: New York May Stop Charging All 16- and 17-Year-Olds as Adults This Week
The passing of the law was thrown into limbo Wednesday night after budget negotiations fell apart.
Aside from prison time, Rivera was also sentenced to five years probation by Judge Stephen Rooney.
