Clifton, N.J. Teens Accused Of Robbing Classmates At Knifepoint
CLIFTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Four teens in Clifton, New Jersey have been charged with a violent armed robbery – and the victims are two of their classmates.
As CBS2's Tracee Carrasco reported, police said the group allegedly robbed a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old at knifepoint last Wednesday afternoon.
Emilio Martinez-Ferro, along with a 15-, 16- and 17-year-old were arrested.
The victims told police they were walking along Arthur Street in Clifton when they were approached by the four teen suspects. One of the suspects allegedly said, "Give me all your money," while another pulled out a pocket knife and demanded the victim's cell phones, police said.
According to police, once the suspect had the cellphone, he asked the victim for the four-digit passcode. The suspect then slapped the victim across the face and took off, police said.
Clifton High School student Kevin Kornecki said he would be distressed in such a situation.
"I'd rather not die, so I'd have to give it up, but I'd be sad about it," he said.
Students at Clifton High School, where the victims and some of the suspects attend, said such teen thefts are becoming all too common.
"People don't care, really, about other people's items like that, but it just happens -- every day, people stealing," said Clifton High School student Nick Baird.
"Some people just want to make business off stolen goods," said Clifton High School student Freddy Guyran. "It's just how it always is -- they always turn your phone off; just take advantage of it."
Earlier this week, the NYPD released surveillance video of a similar crime in Brooklyn. Two teen suspects beat a 16-year-old victim on the head and body several times with a gun before stealing his phone.
"People are always taking chances," Guyran said. "Every time they see it out, they want to take it."
The four teens in the Clifton incident were in police custody Wednesday night, and were facing armed robbery charges.
