Would-be robbers chase victim in Baldwin as he seeks help, Nassau police say

Two teens were arrested Thursday after police said the pair tried to rob a man walking along a Baldwin street — even attempting to force their way into a nearby home where he had sought help.

The incident occurred on Teehan Lane at about 3:30 p.m., Nassau County police said.

Police said the 49-year-old victim was out walking when the teens, one 18 and the other 15, accosted him and "tried to forcibly remove his wallet." When the victim ran to a nearby home, asking a 60-year-old female resident to let him in, the two teens then followed — and "tried to forcibly enter the residence by pushing the door," police said.

Police said the woman was able to close the door and said the teens fled on foot.

Arrested by responding patrol officers were Eros Almonte, 18, of Baldwin, and the 15-year-old, whose identity was not released because of his age.

The 15-year-old, a juvenile, faces charges in Family Court, police said.

Almonte was charged with second-degree attempted robbery, second-degree attempted burglary and third-degree menacing. According to online court records, at an arraignment Friday at Nassau First District Court in Mineola bail for Almonte was set at $5,000 bond or $10,000 cash, but not immediately posted.

Almonte's attorney, Douglas Appel of Brooklyn, said he had only spoken to his client briefly and declined to comment.

It was not immediately clear if the 15-year-old boy was represented by an attorney.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”