A gang of stick-wielding kids went on an early-morning mugging spree in Central Park, pummeling one man and snatching Apple electronics from two women, police said.
The five assailants, a 16-year-old and four minors, first went after a 31-year-old man in the park near Fifth Avenue and East 95th Street around 5:15 am, cops said.
“One of them displayed a stick and started demanding money,” a law enforcement source said. “Then one of the kids punches this guy in the face, and they take off without getting anything.”
They ran one block north to East 96th Street, where they confronted two women, ages 46 and 48, who were on an early-morning stroll through the park, according to cops.
Once again, one kid pulled the stick and demanded the victims’ belongings; this time, they made off with an iPhone and iPad, cops said.
The first victim had already called cops, who raced to the scene and quickly grabbed three of the attackers.
Cops say after they were taken into custody at the 23 Precinct, two friends, ages 16 and 14, went to ask police about them. Both were arrested as well when cops realized they were a part of the crew, police sources said.
All five were charged with two counts of robbery.