Suspects Arrested In Staten Island Mugging, Armless Victim Calls Attackers Cowards

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- There was justice on Thursday night, for a Staten Island teenager, born without arms, who was targeted and mugged on the street.

Now, police say the ringleader of the group that victimized him is behind bars.

"I just feel I was at the wrong place at the wrong time," Carlos Simon told CBS2's Dave Carlin.

Simon, 18, was alone on Forest Avenue in Port Richmond on the night of Nov. 30, when a group of young people assaulted and robbed him.

He said they wanted his phone, no doubt after noticing the creative way he uses it.

"I pick it up. I'd put it on my own sneaker, and it activates by touching the screen twice," he explained. "With my nose, I use the touch screen."

Simon was born without arms, and said strangers can often be counted on to help him get things he needs out of his pockets.

He could tell right away that he was in trouble with the suspects. His cellphone was taken, and then they wanted more.

"They cornered me, surrounded me on both sides, and tried to dig their hands into my pockets," he said.

Simon had a chance to get away when a resident on a walk got close to the group causing the suspects to back off.

Police said anonymous tips from the public led to arrests.

The suspects include a 13-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl whose names were not released because they are minors.

Prosecutors said the ringleader was Vincent Popalardo, 20. He has been charged with robbery and criminal possession of stolen property.

"It's really messed up to target people like me specifically," Simon said, "I guess I could use the word cowardice, to use that many people on somebody who supposedly can't fight back."

Simon did not get his stolen phone back, but he has gotten a brand new one.

"He's inspired me in the past and this puts it over the top in terms of how much I look up to him," friend Skye Pickering said.

Simon vows to continue to go where he wants unafraid, and pursue his dreams of being a professional artist and therapist.