2 teens arrested in Schuylkill River Trail robbery
Police said Friday that they had arrested two teenagers in connection with an armed robbery this week on the Schuylkill River Trail, and are investigating whether they were responsible for other assaults on the popular pathway.
Police said Friday that they had arrested two teenagers in connection with an armed robbery this week on the Schuylkill River Trail, and are investigating whether they were responsible for other assaults on the popular pathway.
The boys, 16 and 17, are facing charges that include aggravated assault, robbery, theft, and related crimes in Wednesday night's attack on a 38-year-old man, police said.
The victim told police he was walking north on the trail just before 9 p.m. when four teenagers on bicycles approached him near Paine's Park, pointed handguns at him, and demanded money, his cellphone, and his bag.
He handed over the phone, but was beaten and punched when he refused to unlock it, police said. The attackers then fled south on the trail, taking his phone, laptop, and iPad.
Police nabbed two of the teens after a brief foot pursuit, and officers recovered the victim's stolen property and a BB gun. Authorities did not release the suspects' names because they are juveniles. Police are looking for the other two teens.
Police said Friday that investigators are trying to determine whether the group is responsible for other recent attacks on or near the trail, which is popular among runners, bicyclists, and walkers, and last year was voted the best urban trail in a USA Today poll.
Reports of assaults and harassment, mostly targeting female runners, have been surfacing since the fall. The offenders have been mostly described as male teenagers who are often riding bicycles.
In two other attacks in the past week, men walking on or near the trail have been robbed by groups of teens.
Both attacks happened Sunday near the skatepark at Paine's Park. In one, three teens robbed two men, ages 31 and 32, of their phones and wallets about 8:20 p.m. One of the suspects brandished a gun and told the men, "Give us everything."
In the other robbery, about 10 minutes later, four or five young men victimized a 68-year-old man, taking his wallet and $45.
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