Five teenagers arrested for attempted robbery in Franklin Square

UPDATE: 3/15/16

Nassau County police officers have arrested five teenagers for an attempted robbery that occurred on early Friday night in Franklin Square.

According to detectives, a 15 year-old boy was walking near the corner of Semton Boulevard and Hempstead Turnpike when he was approached by a group a unknown male subjects. The boy was forcibly thrown to the ground by the group and they began hitting him on the head. The group of boys demanded money from the victim. Following the assault, the boys searched the pockets of the 15 year-old but after finding no money, they fled the scene on foot westbound on Hempstead Turnpike. After the victim returned home, the police were notified.

While on patrol Saturday, two officers from the 5th Precinct observed five male subjects fitting the descriptions of the boys involved in the earlier incident, on the corner of Hempstead Turnpike and Lexington Avenue. Upon further investigation by the officers, Robert Fragoso, 16, of West Hempstead, Justin Johnson, 16, of West Hempstead, Paul Tribie, 16, of West Hempstead, and two other 15 year-old male juvenile defendants were arrested. Police discovered that the two juveniles had a stun gun and a knife in their possession.

The five boys are charged with attempted robbery, and the two juveniles are also charged with criminal possession of a weapon. The boys were arraigned on Saturday at Nassau County Family Court.

This attempted robbery and assault is the latest in a string of assaults against teenagers in Franklin Square over the course of a few weeks. As reported by the Herald, another 15 year-old boy was assaulted and robbed by a group of teenagers near Rath Park on Feb. 20. The 15 year-old was with someone he believed to be a friend named “Herm,” when he was approached by four other teenagers between the ages of 15 and 18 at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 20. As they passed each other, the four teenagers began punching and kicking the victim. The friend, “Herm,” joined as well and struck the victim.

On March 8 a similar assault occurred on Fenworth Boulevard just outside of Rath Park. According to reports, at approximately 6:30 p.m. another 15 year-old boy was assaulted by a group of eight teenagers.

The police have not established a pattern regarding the five teenagers arrested on Friday but are currently investigating all incidents in the area, officials said.

In the meantime, residents have petitioned the Town of Hempstead for increased park safety patrol as well stricter enforcement on Town residence identification for use of the park.