Teen accused of knifepoint robbery

A Hempstead teen was arrested in connection with a Friday evening robbery in which a bike was stolen at knifepoint in Roosevelt, according to Nassau County police.

The robbery happened at 6:10 p.m. on Babylon Turnpike near the Roosevelt Post Office, police said in a news release. Three friends were riding their bikes in the area when a group of males -- including 16-year-old Emanuel McElveen -- approached.

Police said McElveen ripped a gold-colored chain from a 15-year-old boy's neck and briefly rode around on his bike before returning and demanding the victim's BMX-style bicycle.

At first the victim refused, but McElveen pulled a knife and the victim handed over his bike, police said. Then another in McElveen's group demanded a 13-year-old boy, who was with the first victim, also turn over a bike, police said. McElveen and his associates then left the scene with the two bikes, according to police.

After police were notified and canvassed the area, officers found and arrested McElveen at 7 p.m. near the intersection of Nassau Road and Babylon Turnpike. Officers recovered the chain and knife, but the bikes were not found at the scene, police said.

McElveen faces two counts first-degree robbery and two counts of second-degree robbery. He will be arraigned Saturday in First District Court in Hempstead. Police said they are still investigating the incident.