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Robbers steal phone and try to sell it back: DA

JAMAICA — Two men were arraigned Friday on robbery charges after they allegedly swiped $30 and a cell phone from a man walking on a Jamaica street and then e-mailed the victim and tried to sell him back the phone, a spokeswoman for District Attorney Richard Brown said.

Kwame Hamilton, 19, and Antwione Nabnet, 20, both of Jamaica, allegedly approached the victim around 7:15 p.m. Jan. 9 near Liverpool Street and 110th Road in Jamaica and asked him if he “had any bread,” according to the criminal complaint.

When the victim walked past the men, the duo allegedly approached him again and asked if he knew what they meant by “bread,” the complaint said.

Nabnet allegedly put his hands into the victim’s pants pocket, took out his wallet and stole $30 from the wallet and gave the wallet back to the victim, the complaint said.

Nabnet then allegedly put his hand in the victim’s right pocket and took out his Samsung cell phone while Hamilton allegedly acted as a lookout, the complaint said.

Nabnet allegedly told the victim he had a gun and that he should leave.

The victim said two days after the incident, he received an email from the address Kwame_Hamilton@yahoo.com and that the e-mail said, “I got your phone from a kid in the neighborhood. I paid $30, it is locked and looks like it’s yours. I’ll give it back to you for $30.”

Police recovered the phone Jan. 18, according to the complaint.

Hamilton and Nabnet were arraigned Friday on charges of robbery and criminal possession of stolen property before Queens Criminal Court Judge Gene Lopez, who released the men on their own recognizance, the spokeswoman said.

They are next scheduled to appear in court Feb. 16.