Trio tried to rob boys in Nassau County park, police say

Two teens were arrested — and a third suspect is being sought — after police said the trio attempted to rob five boys, ages 12 and 13, while threatening them with what turned out to be a pellet gun Tuesday evening in Allen Park in South Farmingdale.

Nassau County police said the two suspects, ages 14 and 15, were arrested in the park around 9 p.m. — more than 2 1/2 hours after the incident took place.

Police said the five victims were at the park on Motor Parkway when they were approached by a suspect carrying "what appeared to be a weapon" about 6:20 p.m.

That suspect ordered the boys to lie on the ground, demanding their money, police said. While the first suspect threatened the victims with a black and yellow gel pellet gun, a second suspect yelled for him to shoot at the victims — all while a third suspect shot video, police said.

The robbery attempt ended when a woman, who saw what was going on, approached the scene, causing the suspects to take off.

The families of the victims then called police to report what had happened, police said.

No one was hurt.

The two teens who were arrested were charged with five counts of second-degree attempted robbery. Their identities were not released because of their ages, police said.

Both are scheduled for arraignment Wednesday in the youth part of First District Court in Hempstead. It was not clear if either suspect is represented by counsel.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”