Essex Crime: Teen Robbed on Route 702 Footbridge

A 17-year-old boy was robbed at gunpoint as he walked along the Route 702 footbridge in Essex on Jan. 13, county police said.

According to police reports, the boy told police the gunman pointed a rifle at him and demanded money around 4 p.m. The robber then took the victim’s cell phone.

But the boy told police he pushed the muzzle of the gun away and punched the suspect, which allowed him to run away.

Here are other recent crimes reported to the Essex Precinct:

Snowberry Court, 700 block, 4:55 p.m. Jan. 15: A coin box was destroyed and $100 was reported taken from the washing machine.

Sharondale Way, unit block. Between 9 p.m. Jan. 13 and noon Jan. 14: About $100 in quarters were reported taken from the coin box of an apartment building washing machine.

Community Drive, 9600 block. Between 9:30-10:30 p.m. Jan. 12: A Wii game system, video games and $300 were reported stolen after someone entered the home through a rear garage door, police said. Total loss: $599.

Glenwood Road, unit block, 1 p.m Jan. 12: Two men were arrested for allegedly burglarizing an apartment, police said. Tyler Zorilla, 24, and Michael Vashawn, 22, were arrested and charged after witnesses told police the pair allegedly broke into the apartment and stole an Xbox, 16 video games a laptop computer and five cartons of cigarettes, police said.   

N. Maryln Ave., 300 block, 11:20 a.m. Jan. 12: A 17-year-old and a 15-year-old boy were arrested and charged with burglary after being caught allegedly breaking into a home, police said. The 17-year-old allegedly was caught with a holographic “Pokeman” card that one of the residents owns, police said.

Nicolay Way, 1500 block. Between 11 p.m. Jan. 10 and 1:30 a.m. Jan. 11: A wooden shed was set on fire and caused moderate damage to inside shelving and roof, police said. Total loss: $280.

Eastern Blvd., 400 block, 9:20 p.m. Jan. 10: A 57-year-old woman was knocked to the ground and had her purse taken, police said. Total loss: $60.