Boy's Cell Phone Ransomed for $10, Punches Thrown: Annapolis Police

ANNAPOLIS, MD — An Annapolis man was arrested in the assault of a teenager he allegedly robbed and a neighbor who tried to stop the attack and was also punched, according to Annapolis Police.

A 14-year-old boy was sitting at a patio in the 200 block of Boxwood Road Wednesday night when he was approached by Albert Gross, 22, of Annapolis. Gross asked the victim for money and when the boy said he didn’t have any money, Gross snatched the victim’s cell phone from his hand.

Gross said he would return the cell phone for $10. The victim contacted a nearby adult male family member, who gave Gross $10, police say. But, Gross didn't return the cell phone and started to leave the area.

The adult grabbed Gross to stop him from leaving, but Gross freed himself and punched the teen several times. A neighbor who intervened in the assault was also punched by Gross.

The victims wrested the cell phone from Gross, who then fled the area on foot. Officers located Gross walking on Hilltop Lane near Edelmar Drive and the victims identified him as the assailant.

Gross was arrested and had several pills of suspected Xanax in his pocket when he was searched, police say.