CHINGFORD: Teens charged over violent mugging (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

CHINGFORD: Teens charged over violent mugging

2:52pm Monday 6th February 2012 in Waltham Forest News By Daniel Binns

FOUR teenagers have been charged in connection with a violent mugging.

Two 16-year-old boys were robbed and one of them was punched in the face in the incident, which happened at around 10.15pm on Friday (February 3).

Police say the duo were approached by a gang in Old Church Road, Chingford, near the junction with Priory Avenue, and had a mobile phone and watch stolen.

A group of suspects were arrested shortly afterwards and the items recovered following police use of CCTV.

Hanifi Tunc, 19, of Marlborough Road in Chingford and Ahmadvali Zamani, 18, of Leonard Road in Chingford, have both been charged with robbery.

A 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy, both from Walthamstow, are also facing court on the same charge.

Neither can be named because of their ages.

The 16-year-old is also accused of assault.

The quartet have been bailed and are due to appear at Thames Magistrates Court on Wednesday February 15.

A Met spokeswoman said the 16-year-old victim who was punched suffered only minor injuries.

She added: "We would urge anyone who is unfortunate enough to become the victim of a robbery to contact police on 999.

"This enables us to provide a swift response and greatly increases the chance of catching those responsible."

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