13-Year-Old Charged with Robbing Woman Near Market and University

A 13-year-old city boy was arrested Thursday on charges assaulted a woman and stole her purse, according to police.

Newark Police dispatched officers to the area of Market Street and University Avenue Thursday at approximately 7:20 p.m. after being alerted by concerned citizens that several juveniles had just committed a robbery, cops said. 

A 30-year-old woman told responding officers that several juveniles threw her to the ground, assaulted her and took her purse, police reported Friday. 

“A concerned citizen stopped and assisted the victim at which time the suspects fled on foot,” according to Newark Police Detective Eugenio Gonzalez.

Newark Police said they detained several juveniles, and the victim positively identified one 13-year-old Newark teen.

Cops arrested the teen, charged him with robbery, and recovered and returned the woman’s purse.

"Public safety is a shared responsibility between the police department and the community it serves.  I am pleased that our officers with the assistance of concerned citizens were able to apprehend a robbery suspect," said Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio.