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Residents On Edge After Boy, 12, Robbed At Gunpoint In Brooklyn

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Some residents in Brooklyn were on edge Monday, after police said three suspects held up a 12-year-old boy at gunpoint while he walked with his mother and little sister.

As CBS 2's Weijia Jiang reported, the search continued late Monday afternoon for suspects in the robbery in Flatbush-Ditmas Park. The suspect got away with $100, and a piece of some neighbors' face in humanity.

"I just think people are, reckless and they have no heart sometimes," said Gabriella Bermeo of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. "How could you do that to a 12-year-old?

The robbery happened around 8:30 p.m. Friday on East 18th Street in Brooklyn.

The boy was walking with his mother who was pushing his 4-year-old sister in a stroller when the men walked up, held a gun to the boy's back and demanded money, police said.

Police sources say one of the suspects said "give me money or I'll shoot you," CBS 2's Jiang reported.

The boy's mother handed over some cash and the suspects fled, police said. The family was not hurt during the robbery.

The entire incident happened in front of Aveleen Smith's home. She said her son saw the suspects shortly after the robbery.

"He saw some guys run past him, but he didn't realize they were attacking somebody," she said. "That is terrible, very, very terrible."

The community was left wondering Monday how such a brazen crime could happen to an innocent family.

"It bothers me a hell of a lot, but what can you do about it?" said Charlene Davis of Ditmas Park. "You've got to go to work, get back home, and lock it, and hope they don't come through the windows or doors at you."

"It's scary," added Brenda Vaquero of Ditmas Park. "I don't want it to happen to my family."

Police on Monday were talking to people in the neighborhood and looking for clues, but they had no one in custody late Monday afternoon.

12-Year-Old Boy Robbery Suspects
Sketches of two suspects wanted in the robbery of a 12-year-old boy in Brooklyn. (Credit: NYPD)

The suspects were described as black males in their 20s, one of whom had a pony tail. Police have released sketches of two of the suspects.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visit CrimeStoppers.com or by text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

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