Click here to subscribe today or Login.
WILKES-BARRE — Two robberies took place within minutes of each other Tuesday evening in Wilkes-Barre, with charges being filed against a juvenile from Allentown in one of them.
It is not immediately clear if the robberies are connected.
First, a 21-year-old Wilkes-Barre man said he was confronted by three males at around 6:13 p.m. on Gildersleeve Street.
The victim said the men, two black and one white, challenged him to a fight. After he refused, the white male went through the victim’s pockets, taking unspecified property from him that was valued at $10.
The victim called for police, which caused the suspects to flee.
Police say the white suspect is described as having blond hair and a beard, and was wearing a gray Aeropostale hoodie.
Wilkes-Barre Police are asking for any information regarding the robbery at either 570-208-4200 or 911. So far, no charges have been filed.
Only seven minutes later, at 6:20 p.m., a 43-year-old Wilkes-Barre man reported being followed by a group of juvenile males on Loomis Street.
The juveniles were taunting him as they followed.
Eventually, the man and the teens stopped, and a 16-year-old from Allentown began questioning the older man about his belongings before assaulting him.
The victim said he fled to a nearby residence, and the juveniles also fled. The man was treated at the scene by medics for minor injuries.
Police say the 16-year-old was found a few blocks away and was taken into custody without incident.
The teen was charged with robbery, simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment. He was lodged in a juvenile detention center to await further proceedings.