Executive Summary
- Detectives witnessed the alleged robbery in progress on East Sandford Boulevard.
- Police recovered a firearm and 17 smartphones valued at over $5,000.
- The 16-year-old suspect faces felony robbery and weapon possession charges.
- The case is being handled by the Youth Part of Westchester County Court.
A 16-year-old resident of Pelham was taken into custody on Monday evening following an alleged armed robbery at a Metro PCS store in Mount Vernon. According to a news release issued by city officials on Tuesday, detectives recovered a firearm and significant merchandise immediately following the incident.
Law enforcement officers patrolling East Sandford Boulevard shortly before 8 p.m. observed the teenager enter the retail establishment and display what appeared to be a gun. Police stated that detectives immediately called for backup as the situation unfolded. The suspect reportedly exited through a rear door and attempted to flee toward Garden Avenue before being apprehended by responding officers.
According to the police release, authorities recovered a weapon and 17 stolen cellular phones from the suspect. The recovered items included 11 iPhones, three Samsung devices, and three Motorola phones, with a collective value estimated at over $5,000. The identity of the suspect has been withheld by authorities due to his status as a minor.
The teenager was arraigned on Tuesday in the Youth Part of Westchester County Court. Prosecutors have filed felony charges of first-degree robbery and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. The defendant is scheduled for a subsequent court appearance on December 8.
Judicial Proceedings & Public Safety
This incident underscores the operational impact of active police presence in commercial corridors, which allowed for an immediate response to a felony in progress. The adjudication of this case will proceed within the Youth Part of the court system, a specialized division handling serious criminal cases involving minors that balances accountability with statutory protections for juvenile defendants. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
