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WILKES-BARRE — Two teenagers are facing charges as adults after they allegedly attacked and robbed another teenager.
Al-Shamik Lee, 17, of Wilkes-Barre, and Jamarle Jones, 17, of Plymouth, are each accused of attacking the teenager.
According to the criminal complaint:
Officers were dispatched to the area of CrisNics Irish Pub for a report of a robbery. Officers spoke with the victim, who alleged he was assaulted by three black men on Barney Street as he walked home from wrestling practice.
The victim reported to police he left Meyers High School and walked east on Hanover Street toward Barney Street. As the victim turned onto Barney Street, he reportedly saw three black males crossing the street from the opposite side. As he entered a dark area of Barney Street between Hanover and Horton streets, the victim alleged he was pushed from behind.
While the victim was on the ground, the three males allegedly began to punch and kick him repeatedly, causing serious injury to the victim’s head, neck and face. The males also allegedly told the victim to shut up as he screamed for help.
The three men then stopped the alleged beating, took the victim’s backpack and cell phone and fled the area.
Police said the victim’s injuries were “more severe than originally thought,” including an neck injury that was a “major concern.” The victim also sustained a laceration on the back of his head and a potentially broken nose. The victim was transported to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center for treatment.
Officers later stopped three black men walking east on Horton Street shortly after the incident. Police allege one of the men fled the area, but the other two were identified as Lee and Jones. Jones allegedly tried to give officers a false identification when first approached.
Lee and Jones are each charged with robbery, aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, false identification to law enforcement, disorderly conduct and harassment. Court documents indicate Assistant District Attorney Jill Matthews approved to charge the two as adults.
Officials at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility declined to provide mugshots for Lee or Jones, citing the prison’s policy to not release the mugshots of juveniles.
Lee and Jones were arraigned on the charges before District Judge Joseph Zola on Thursday, and they are scheduled for preliminary hearings before District Judge Rick Cronauer at 10 a.m. on Dec. 13.
They are each jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $35,000 bail.