Necklaces stolen in Valley Stream mugging

A mugger yanked necklaces off the necks of two teenagers in Valley Stream, Nassau County police said.

The robbery happened on Friday about 8:30 p.m. on West Merrick Road near Clearstream Avenue as the 14-year-old and 16-year-old, both females, were walking on the street.

The mugger approached the teens from behind "and snatched a gold necklace from the neck of the 14-year-old," police said in a news release.

Then, as the 16-year-old tried to take the chain off her neck to meet his demand, the mugger ripped it off her neck, police said. Neither teenager was injured.

The mugger, who fled on foot, is about 20 years old, bearded and black with short black hair, police said. He wore a "green dress sweater and blue jeans," police said.