Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) -The victim of a recent Rochester assault and robbery says he was targeted because he refused to join a gang.

That’s according to the criminal complaint filed in Olmsted County Court against two 16-year old suspects.

The 19-year-old victim told police he was sitting in a car Saturday afternoon when he was assaulted and robbed of his shoes and phone. He told police he knew the suspects and they were later located. Also arrested was a 15-year-old who was involved in the incident. One of the suspects still had the victim’s phone.

During a police interview, the victim told investigators “he believed the incident was in retaliation for his refusal to join a gang.”

The two 16-year-old suspects appeared in juvenile court Tuesday on simple robbery charges.

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