Two Greenwich Teens Charged in PC Gun Robbery

Two teenagers from Greenwich are in county jail on felony robbery charges after allegedly holding up two men at gunpoint, Port Chester police said.

Juan Antonio Ortigoza, 19, and Bryan Francois, 17, were charged Tuesday after robbing two men in front of 70 Purdy Ave. last week.

Police say Ortigoza and Francois responded to a Craigslist ad from a poster who was looking to buy used iPhones. The pair told the poster, a Queens man, to drive to Port Chester on April 20 to purchase the used phones.

When the victim and a friend arrived in Port Chester, they were met by Ortigoza and Francois, who beckoned them inside an apartment. The victims refused, telling the Greenwich teens that they're rather conduct the transaction in their car.

Ortigoza and Francois hopped in the back seat and pulled a gun on the victims, telling them to fork over the $1,700 in cash they had brought with them, Lt. James Ladeairous said. One of the victims bolted and ran into a nearby bodega, where he called 911.

Francois and Ortigoza fled toward Travis Avenue, but they were gone when police arrived and searched the area.

Detective Chris Krzeminski and Officer Paul DiMeglio's investigation this week led them to Connecticut and information that pointed to the suspects. They brought Francois and Ortigoza to Port Chester police headquarters, making the arrests after questioning both.

Ortigoza, of 38 Gerry St., and Francois, of 46 Sinawoy Rd., were each charged with first-degree robbery, a felony. The money and weapon have not yet been recovered. Ortigoza and Francois were sent to Westchester County Jail, with bail set at $10,000 each, pending their next court appearance.

Follow Port Chester Patch!

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PortChesterPatch

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PChesterPatch