Teen charged in Washington Park attempted robbery

ALBANY — A 16-year-old Albany resident who tried to steal a phone from a man at knifepoint Friday morning in Washington Park has been arrested, city police said.

At around 8:30 a.m., officers responded to Washington Park for reports of a male chasing another male through the park with a knife. Officers said they learned the suspect approached the victim with a knife and demanded his phone. The victim refused to turn it over and began to run away.

Shortly after the call, a nearby police officer with the University at Albany Police Department saw a male who matched the description of the suspect near Robin Street and Western Avenue and stopped him. The suspect was taken into custody by Albany police. He also had several knives.

The 16-year-old was charged with attempted robbery and criminal possession of a weapon, arraigned and sent to the Albany County Juvenile Detention Facility pending further court action.