Two nabbed in street robbery in Stapleton

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Two teens are accused of mugging a woman at gunpoint on a Stapleton street Monday night and taking her iPhone.

Authorities say the suspects — Marcelino Mendez, 16, and Elijah Boston, 18 — approached the woman about 8:15 p.m., outside 492 Van Duzer St. The teens both live about two blocks away, on the 100 blcok of Wright Street.

Mendez pointed what appeared to be a silver handgun at the victim and commanded, “Give me your phone,” according to court papers .

The woman complied, and Mendez took the phone, then handed the gun to Boston, court papers allege.

Police caught the duo about 9:10 p.m., as they stood in front of 111 Beach St., a few blocks from where the incident took place. Mendez had the stolen phone in his pocket, police allege.

Police did not recover a gun from either suspect.

Both teens are charged with first- and second-degree robbery, and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, said Peter N. Spencer, a spokesman for District Attorney Daniel Donovan.