By Alexander MacInnes
THe Herald News
PATERSON, N.J. — A police officer was injured Thursday while chasing one of 20 suspects in a daytime robbery - one of several recent attacks in the 2nd Ward.
Two adults and five juveniles were arrested and charged in the beating and robbery of a 21-year-old near Front Street and Wayne Avenue, department spokesman Detective Lt. Anthony Traina said.
Wilson Perez, 18, and Carlos Gonzalez Jr., 19, both of Walnut Street, were charged with robbery, aggravated assault and possession of weapons. Because five of the suspects are younger than 17, police did not release their names.
Police Officer Jim Berthold, 37, injured his ankle while chasing some of the suspects, Traina said.
The victim, a city resident, was attacked by about 20 people as he was walking north on Wayne Avenue about 2:30 p.m., police said. Some of the attackers had brass knuckles and a knife was found at the scene. The victim, who suffered serious wounds around his face and head, was taken to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center.
Police responded quickly to the scene, due mainly to an increased presence in the area Thursday. Police deployed additional units to help with school dismissal at John F. Kennedy High School, because of the rash of daytime street robberies in that area.
“There have been several robberies involving juvenile suspects,” Traina said. “There seems to be an increase. ... If the cops weren’t right there, this guy could have ended up in a lot worse shape.”
In other incidents, two teenagers face robbery charges after they allegedly beat up a pair of high school students for their cell phone Wednesday on Totowa Avenue. On June 13, an off-duty Paterson police officer arrested a 13-year-old who was among 12 juveniles assaulting and robbing another on Redwood Avenue. Another incident occurred Wednesday on Birch Street.
Second Ward Councilman Aslon Goow Sr., who represents the area, was at the scene Thursday.
“Every day for weeks,” said Goow of the recent problems. “They’re gutless bums, taking advantage of people.”
Goow, who heads the City Council’s Public Safety Committee, said the police caught a suspects on Thursday because of a quick response.
Samad Uddin, 25, lives right in front of where the robbery took place. Uddin, a limousine driver, said he has seen an increase in violence in his neighborhood recently.
“It’s bad,” he said.
Copyright 2008 The Herald News