Middle School Students Robbed of Phones

By Mary O’KEEFE

Two Rosemont students reported having their cellphones stolen while walking home from school on Thursday.

The first incident occurred at little after 3 p.m. at La Crescenta Avenue and El Caminito.

A 12-year-old girl was walking home with a friend.  She reported that someone had grabbed her cellphone from her hands and fled.

The second incident occurred about 3:30p.m. at Rosemont and Mayfield avenues. A 12-year-old boy was walking southbound on Rosemont Avenue when a teenage boy came up behind him and grabbed his iPhone cellphone. The Rosemont student attempted to hold onto the phone but the suspect ripped it from his hands and took off running westbound on Mayfield Avenue.

The boy along with others students ran after the suspect but lost him as he ran left, heading southbound, on La Crescenta Avenue.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s from the Crescenta Valley Station were called and they searched the area without finding the suspect.

Sgt. Ray Harley said that due to the similar descriptions of the suspect it is believed they are one in the same.

The suspect is described as a 14-to-16-year-old boy, 5’7” to 5’9” tall from 130 to 150 pounds. Both victims said he was wearing a black T-shirt. One victim described the suspect as wearing khaki shorts and the other victim described the suspect wearing a black ball cap and black pants.

Harley advised students to take some precautions while walking.

“They should not walk alone. Try to walk with as many friends as possible,” he said. “The more the better.”

He added the young female victim was walking with a friend but several feet separated them.

He also advised kids to be aware of their surroundings and not use anything that might obscure their hearing like earphones or ear buds.

“It not a good idea to walk down the streets with ear buds [listening to music],” he said. “You can’t hear cars around you or emergency [vehicle sirens] and you aren’t aware that someone is approaching you from behind.”

And he reminds everyone to contact the sheriff’s department immediately.

“This gives us a chance of finding the [suspect],” he said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact CV Sheriff’s Station (818) 248-3464.