Teen With Toy Gun Robbed Two, Police Say

Newark police Monday arrested a 17-year-old city youth after he allegedly used a toy gun to commit two robberies, department spokesman Sgt. Ron Glover said.

Police responded to Calumet and Pacific streets around 10:30 pm after witnesses called to report someone with a gun in the area. When police arrived, they spotted the teen, who ran into an apartment where he allegedly tried to hide the gun and the proceeds from the robberies, Glover said.

As police interviewed one of the victims, a 45-year-old Newark man who had been robbed minutes earlier on Calumet Street, a second victim approached and said he had also been accosted by the teen. That victim, a 25-year-old, struggled with the teen during a robbery attempt before the youth fled from the area. Both victims identified the teen, Glover said.

The youth has been charged with robbery and weapons offenses.

“I applaud the quick response by our officers in apprehending a suspect that was wanted for several robberies.  Newark’s officers are making a marked effort to arrest those who insist on violating laws and disrupting our quality of life,” said Police Director Samuel DeMaio.

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