STATEN ISLAND: The defendant and an accomplice snatched an iPhone, headphones and other personal items, said cops.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — This mugger’s ticket has been punched for prison.
New Brighton resident Josiah Smalls has been sentenced to four years behind bars stemming from an alleged knifepoint mugging at the Arthur Kill train station three years ago.
A criminal complaint said the events unfolded at 11:45 a.m. on May 22, 2019.
Smalls and an accomplice accosted the victim at the station at Arthur Kill Road and Ellis Street in Tottenville, said a criminal complaint.
Acting in concert, Smalls and his partner placed a knife against the man’s chest, said the complaint.
“Don’t call for help,” the complaint quotes them as ordering the victim. “You don’t want to do that. I’ll cut you. I’ve done this before. Don’t move. We know where you live. We can track you.”
The duo stole the man’s backpack, which contained a wallet with a debit and credit card, an iPhone8, Beats headphones, clothing and cosmetics, said the complaint.
The muggers and the victim were strangers, police said.
Smalls was arrested on Oct. 7, 2019, over four months after the heist.
He was indicted on charges of robbery, grand larceny, stolen-property possession, criminal weapon possession and petit larceny.
Last month, Smalls satisfied those charges by pleading guilty to attempted first-degree robbery.
Besides prison time, he was sentenced on Monday in state Supreme Court, St. George, to five years’ post-release supervision.
Attorney Maria Guastella represented Smalls.
By Frank Donnelly [SILIVE]
