GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP – Two local teenage boys arrested early Sunday, Sept. 28 have been charged with beating a man and stealing his sneakers at knifepoint on a wooded trail near Cherokee Drive.

The boys, ages 16 and 17, were charged with robbery, conspiracy and aggravated assault after jumping a 24-year-old from Medford who was taking a shortcut to the home of a friend.

The victim told police he was attacked by three males who knocked him to the ground and then stole his sneakers at knifepoint. The three fled on foot, according to Sgt. Kevin Mott.

“The incident was reported by a nearby resident who provided a clothing description to police as well as a direction of flight,” Mott said. “The victim’s sneakers were recovered by K-9 Officer Mark D’Esposito and his K-9 partner Zito while tracking the suspects, who were unable to be located.”

Two of them were later seen at the Shoppes at Galloway by the victim, who phoned police, Mott said.

They were arrested there and transported to the police station at the Municipal Complex.

One of the suspects was found to be in possession of marijuana and paraphernalia, police said. In addition to the robbery charges, he was also charged with possession and distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of paraphernalia. 

Both suspects were lodged in the Harborfields youth detention center. The third youth remains at large.