Crime & Safety

Teens Ask Belleville Pedestrian For Cigarette, Then Rob Him: Police

When the victim looked down to retrieve a cigarette from his pack, one of the juveniles held a knife to his neck, Belleville police say.

BELLEVILLE, NJ — A man said that he was the victim of a late-night, knifepoint robbery on Washington Avenue late last month, Belleville police say.

According to the Belleville Police Department, the victim told officers that two male juveniles about 16 to 17-years-old approached him on Washington Avenue around 11:14 p.m. on Aug. 27.

The victim told officers that one of the juveniles asked him for a cigarette. When he looked down to retrieve one from his pack, one of the juveniles held a knife to his neck. The other then stepped in front of him and demanded money, he told police.

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The victim gave the teens $20 and they fled on foot on Rossmore Place, police said.

The victim sustained a small laceration on the side of his neck but refused medical assistance, police said.

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He said that his assailants, both allegedly Hispanic with dark complexions, wore dark-colored clothing and that one had a mustache.

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