Trio Charged with Attempted Robbery near Subway

Three teens were arrested Wednesday afternoon and charged with attempted robbery of a cell phone near a Farmingdale Subway restaurant, according to Nassau County Police.

Eighth Squad detectives report that 18-year-old Simon Distefano, of North Massapequa, 17-year-old Nicholas Lipari, of South Farmingdale and 18-year-old Steven Ryan, of South Farmingdale, attempted to forcibly take a smartphone from an 18-year old male victim near the restaurant located at 47 Boundary Avenue.

The victim saw the trio arriving together in a metallic colored Nissan Altima before two of the teens got out of the car and confronted him, cops said. One allegedly displayed what appeared to be a black semi-automatic pistol, which later turned out to be a BB gun, police said.  

The other displayed what appeared to be an electroshock weapon, which turned out to be a novelty item, that produces only minor shocks, police said.

They allegedly menaced the victim, forced him into the car and attempted to hold him down and take his smartphone, according to police.

After the victim was able to free himself, he fled and notified police, who pursued the subjects through South Farmingdale. Responding officers made the arrests at 3:10 p.m.

The teens told cops the victim owed them some money, according to police.

Distefano, Lipari and Ryan are charged with attempted robbery in the second degree. 

Ed Robinson contributed to this report.