Cops: Teens used pit bull to threaten, rob boys

Two teens were arrested after they strong-armed a 15-year-old and a 12-year-old, using a pit bull as an enforcer, during a street robbery Tuesday evening in Uniondale, Nassau County police said.

Police said Rodney Arthur, 17, of Warwick Street, Uniondale, and Jonathan Cauvil, 18, of Grove Street, Hempstead, approached the boys on Front Street near Arcadia Avenue just before 6:45 p.m. Tuesday and, using their pit bull as a threat, robbed the two boys.

They stole a bike, a cell phone and a gold chain, police said, all while giving verbal commands to the dog - which, police said, made the two victims fearful they'd be bitten.

Arthur and Cauvil were arrested a short time later at Arthur's house, police said.

Each was charged with fourth-degree possession of a dangerous weapon, as well as first- and second-degree robbery, police said. They are scheduled for arraignment Wednesday in First District Court, Hempstead.

Police said officers recovered all the stolen property.