A teenage boy who robbed or attempted to rob six young school kids at knifepoint of $1 during a two-day crime spree is in custody, a police source said, although he is yet to be charged with a crime.
Police suspect he is responsible for a recent string of armed robberies involving victims between the ages of 12 and 16 as they headed to and from school in Carroll Gardens and Red Hook, the source said. The source could not confirm the suspect’s age or provide any details on how the teen was apprehended.
Officers say a thief has been approaching boys on their way to school, whipped out a knife or a box-cutter, and demanded $1 in a series of attempted and successful robberies on May 20 and May 22.
The low-budget crimes began May 20 at 7:20 am when the suspect targeted a 12-year-old boy on Court Street and Second Place. The suspect allegedly pulled out a knife and demanded the money. The victim resisted and ran away, according to cops.
About an hour later, two blocks away, on Henry Street and Second Place, the suspect allegedly accosted a 14-year-old boy, who also escaped with his greenback, police said.
Ten minutes later, the suspect returned to Court Street and Second Place, where he grabbed a 15-year-old boy and rummaged through his pants pockets. The suspect fled after realizing the victim did not have any cash.
Two days later, at 7:50 am on May 22, cops allege the perp flashed his knife to a 13-year-old boy on Smith and President streets, and demanded $1. This time the victim handed over the dollar, police said.
About 10 minutes later, he allegedly approached a 14-year-old boy in the same spot and ordered him to give up money. The suspect got away with the victim’s wallet.
Law enforcement officials said that later that day, about 4:50 pm, the suspect approached a 16-year-old boy on Hamilton Avenue near Centre Street, flashed a box-cutter and again demanded $1. The victim managed to hold onto his cash and run away, police said.
None of the victims were hurt, according to police.
Reach reporter Natalie Musumeci at nmusumeci@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-4505. Follow her at twitter.com/souleddout.
