Two Nutley teens were arrested for allegedly robbing younger John H. Walker Middle School students.

The younger studentds were shown a knife and told to give the older teens money, Police Det. Anthony Montaneri said Friday.

Police investigated reports by younger middle school students for several days before making the arrests, and did not disclose the date of the alleged robbery.

Montaneri said said the younger students claimed the two older students demanded that they give them their money, and showed them a knife, but did not necessarily threaten to use the weapon.

Middle School officials did not return calls for comment on Friday afternoon.

The two students arrested June 8 have been turned over to the Juvenile Bureau, which will decide the punishment, Montaneri said.

Mayor Alphonse Petracco directs the Department of Public Safety. He called the actions "unacceptable."

"No child should be in fear while in school, or when traveling to and from a school," Petracco said Friday.

Police Chief John Holland said the arrests illustrate excellent cooperation among township entities.  

"Detectives and school officials worked together, both to protect the victims and arrest the actors," Holland said Friday.