Teens Arrested after Craigslist iPhone Sale Ambush, Robbery

Two 14-year-old boys are facing first-degree robbery charges after they ambushed and violently robbed a man selling iPhones on craigslist on Sunday next to the rectory at St. Matthew’s Church in Cranston.

Cranston Police Capt. Sean Carmody said the victim agreed to meet a male subject who responded to his craigslist ad for three iPhones in the parking lot of St. Matthew’s Church on Elmwood Avenue.

When the victim arrived he was met by two subjects. One said he “keeps his cash in his sock which must have fallen out,” Carmody said in a news release.

The suspect asked the victim to follow him to find the money and they set off towards Francis Avenue.

They turned the corner and while standing on the side of the church rectory, the suspects attacked; one put him in a choke hold while the other “repeatedly punched him,” Carmody said.

“During the assault, one of the suspects identified himself as a member of law enforcement and ordered the victim to surrender his phones,” Carmody said.

As the suspects fled, the victim followed and was able to get a few pictures.

Police responded to the scene at around 5 p.m. and detectives canvassed the area, showing photos of the suspects to nearby residents.

Soon, police identified the suspects as two 14-year-old boys and eventually, police were able to track them both down along with the stolen iPhones.

Both boys were released to the custody of their parents pending formal arraignment in Family Court, police said.