Two 16-year-old boys have been charged with felony robbery after stealing another teen’s cell phone in a brutal beating caught on camera.
Police said an 18-year-old man was walking near Harrison Street and Plymouth Court when two juveniles grabbed his phone and took off running.
The victim ran after the boys, but at one point, one of the teens put his hand in his pocket and threatened to shoot him, authorities said. A second teen then struck the man in the head, according to police.
A witness captured the incident on cellphone video and the two teens were later taken into custody at the Red Line platform near Roosevelt and State, police said. One teen was charged with felony robbery while the other was charged with felony aggravated robbery with indication of a firearm.
The 18-year-old victim, a Columbia college student, said he was left with a concussion. He believes he was targeted in the robbery because he had an iPhone X.
Young Shim wsa walking from his dorm to a cafe when the attack happened. He said he ran after his attackers after a "surge of adrenaline hit."
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"I still get these insane headaches and really dizzy standing up," he said.
A 29-year-old man stepped in to help during the attack and tried to hold one of the attackers down.
"I think everyone who sees that something is going on not right, they have to act. Don't think this is not your business," said the Good Samaritan who wished to be identified only as Artem.
