June 2, 2007: Vol. 30, No. 22

A teenager and his dad helped cops capture the leader of a band of thugs that allegedly tried to rob the boy on May 14.

The episode began at 3:40 pm, when the 15-year-old victim was walking home from school on Hicks Street, near the corner of Baltic Street. Suddenly a pack of four teens rushed him and the leader insisted, “Give them everything in your pockets.”

The terrified boy turned over his cellphone and a few other personal items and, as soon as the brutes turned away, he rushed home. The victim summoned his father, and the pair raced back out to the street, where the young thugs still lingered. Emboldened by their familial bond, the pair chased the leader down Baltic Street — where he was captured by Detective Edward Cesario.

The 14-year-old now faces attempted robbery charges.

Two arrested

Police nabbed two of three thieves who allegedly attacked a woman on the corner of President and Smith streets, on May 9.

The feisty 42-year-old was cornered by three strangers shortly after 9 am and backed into a fence, police said. One robber snatched her cellphone while the other two held her arms. But when they let go, the woman grabbed the mobile back and ran off to dial 911.

Police arrived and searched the area, finding two suspects. Officer Kenny Cunningham arrested the boys, ages 15 and 16, on robbery charges.

Quick clean-out

It was like a home remodeling show gone wrong when burglars took nearly everything but the kitchen sink from a Mill Street home on May 16.

Craziest part is, they did it in less than half an hour.

The 62-year-old victim left her home, near Hicks Street, at 11 am, police said. When she returned 25 minutes later, her window was damaged and thieves had removed more than $500 in electronics and furniture.

©2007 The Brooklyn Paper