Teens on Bikes Rob Other Youths in Two Incidents

Last Tuesday and Thursday, in two separate incidents, teenage boys on BMX-style bikes were reported to have robbed younger juveniles, stealing an iPod and a cell phone. One incident took place near the skate park in Maplecrest Park; the other outside the victims' home on Boyden Parkway which is near the park as well. Last Friday, a parent had emailed Patch about the incidents, at which time we contacted the Maplewood PD for confirmation. The parent stated, "Parents and skaters need to be more vigilant." The parent asked for more police presence and surveillance at the park.

Details of the incidents are found below. This week's blotter comes to us courtesy of Captain Paul Conlon.

June 15, 2010: Robbery—A group of 6 to 7 teenage boys confronted two 11-year-old boys in Maplecrest Park at about 4:10 p.m. and stole an iPod from one of the boys. The two 11-year-olds were in the area of the skate park when the incident occurred. One of the victims was able to run away before giving up his iPod but the second victim lost his. The group then fled the park on BMX style bikes and was last seen riding down Boyden Parkway towards Springfield Avenue. The group of actors is only described as black males, 13-15 years of age, wearing t-shirts and shorts. The victims did not suffer any injuries in the incident.

June 15, 2010: Disorderly Conduct Arrest—Leeann Stancil, 19, of Parker Avenue, Maplewood was arrested for Disorderly Conduct after becoming involved in an altercation near the intersection of Union Ave and Garfield Pl. Stancil was part of a large group walking in the street and obstructing traffic at approximately 8:00 pm. When officers made attempts to disperse the crowd Ms. Stancil confronted officers and refused to follow their directions. Ms. Stancil was charged with Disorderly Conduct, Failure to Disperse and Resisting Arrest.

June 17, 2010: Robbery—Two juveniles boys, one 10 and one 14, reported to Police that they were playing in front of their home on Boyden Parkway when they were approached by three older juveniles on BMX style bicycles. A black male, about 15 years of age, grabbed each of the victims individually and went through their pockets looking for items to take. The actor then removed a cell phone from the pocket of the 10 year old and the group fled. The subject is described as a black male, 15 years of age, 5'6" tall, short hair, wearing a white t-shirt and burgundy shorts. The second actor is described as a black male, 5'6" tall, 14 to 15 years of age, wearing a black "doo rag" on his head, a white t-shirt, and blue jeans.  The third actor is described as a black male, 14 to 15 years of age, wearing a burgundy shirt and blue jeans. The bicycles are all described as BMX style bikes and one was reported to be a green Mongoose. The young victims were not injured in the incident.

June 19, 2010: Stolen Auto—A 1997 Nissan Pathfinder was stolen from a business on Springfield Ave. At 1:20 in the afternoon a black male, about 40 years old, posing as a customer, removed the car keys from the store counter and then fled in the stolen Nissan. The car was last seen east on Springfield Avenue.