Cops: Pair pistol-whipped teen in dispute over backpack
PALM SPRINGS — A 19-year-old man and a juvenile robbed and pistol-whipped a teen Sunday west of the village during a dispute over a stolen backpack, authorities said.
Authorities say Edenfield Chastine of suburban West Palm Beach and a 17-yearold attacked another 17-year- old in front of a home in the Abbey Park development west of the intersection of Forest Hill Boulevard and Military Trail.
C h a s t i n e r e mai n e d i n custody at the Palm Beach County Jail late Thursday after a judge set no bond on the armed robbery charge. He is a five-time convicted felon, police said. His most recent convic tion was in October for being a delinquent in possession of a firearm. It was not clear whether the juvenile was still in custody.
The alleged robbery happened at about 3 p.m. Sunday on the 5000 block of Abbey Road.
According to the Palm B e a c h C o u n t y S h e r i f f ’s Office, the accuser told investigators he was sitting outside a friend’s house playi n g c a rd s when t h e s u s - pects approached. Chastine allegedly pointed a handgun while his accomplice went through the alleged victim’s pocket.
The suspects allegedly took $65 in cash and a women’s ring valued at $180. Authorities say Chastine struck the alleged victim with the gun. He then gave the gun to his accomplice before repeatedly punching the alleged victim in the face.
Following the attack, the suspects fled on foot.
Their accuser told investigators he believed the attack occurred because Chastine thought that either he or a friend had stolen Chastine’s backpack two or three weeks ago.
Both suspects were identified from a photo lineup, the sheriff ’s office said.