Police: Teens attack, rob 14-year-olds on bicycles in Valley Stream

Police are searching for a group of teens who they said attacked two young teens in Valley Stream late Wednesday night.

The victims were both boys, 14 years old, Nassau County police said. The seven attackers all are believed to be older teens, police said Thursday.

Police said the street robbery took place on Merrick Road at about 10 p.m. It was then, police said, that the two young boys, both on bicycles, were approached by the older teens -- who then engaged one of the boys in a conversation.

At that time, police said, one of the suspects "began to punch" one of the boys, while the other victim was able to flee on his bicycle.

The suspects then took the victim's sweatpants and a sneaker before fleeing in a dark-colored vehicle, police said.

Police ask anyone with information about the robbery to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential.

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.”