Five West Hempstead teens arrested after attempted robbery

From left, Paul Tribie, Robert Fragoso and Justin Johnson - all from West Hempstead.

NCPD

Nassau County police reported the arrest of five West Hempstead teenagers who were charged with an attempted robbery last Friday at 7 p.m. in Franklin Square.

According to NCPD detectives, a 15-year old boy was walking near the corner of Semton Boulevard and Hempstead Turnpike when he was approached from behind by a group of unknown teens. They threw him to the ground, demanded money and began hitting him in the head, police said.

The subjects then searched the victim’s pockets, but after finding no money, they fled west on Hempstead Turnpike on bikes and on foot, according to police. The boy went home and called the police. He refused medical attention.

Later, while on routine patrol, two 5th Precinct officers saw five teenagers fitting the description of the subjects at the corner of Lexington Avenue and Hempstead Turnpike. Their subsequent investigation led to the arrests of Robert Fragoso, 16, of Oak Street in West Hempstead; Justin Johnson, 16, of Eagle Avenue in West Hempstead; Paul Tribie, 16, of Lenox Drive in West Hempstead; and two other boys, both age 15. The police also discovered that the two 15-year-olds had a Vipertex stun gun and a gravity knife in their possession.

Fragoso, Johnson and Tribie were charged with attempted robbery and were arraigned on Saturday in First District Court in Hempstead. The two juvenile defendants were charged with attempted robbery and criminal possession of a weapon. They were arraigned at Nassau County Family Court on Saturday.