Youth Charged in Boardwalk Robbery

Shawn Persaud, 16, of Long Beach was arrested Oct. 6 for a robbery on the boardwalk last month.

Long Beach Police charged Persaud with second-degree robbery for an incident that took place on the boardwalk near Long Beach Boulevard on Sept. 17, according to an LBPD press release issued last Friday.

“At that place and time it is alleged that a jogger was on the boardwalk when he was approached by a group of young males,” reads the LBPD statement on the arrest. “The victim was grabbed from behind and thrown to the ground. During the attack, a cell phone and a small amount of cash was stolen from the victim. As a result of the attack the victim suffered minor injuries.”

Detective Lieutenant James Canner, commanding officer of the LBPD’s Detective Division, stated that police relentlessly investigated the case and other suspects are still being pursued.

“The arrest of Mr. Persaud was the culmination of a concentrated effort by the Long Beach Police Department’s Detective Division,” Canner stated. “We are continuing our investigation and more arrests are expected.”

Last month, police reported a second robbery that occurred two days later on Sept. 19, when a jogger was running at the 400 block of the east boardwalk and a group of about five youths, described as black males between the ages of 14 and 19, attacked him at about 10:44 p.m. The youths surrounded the jogger, kicked and punched him and stole his iPhone, and fled the scene on bikes and foot.

While police in that case said that the jogger suffered abrasions to his knees and elbow, people who know the victim contacted Patch to say that he suffered more serious injuries, including an injury to his eye that threatened his vision and required surgery.

Police ask anyone with information in connection with this robbery to contact the police department’s TIPS line at 516-705-7370. All calls will remain anonymous.