Arts&Entertainment: July 5, 2001 Times wires
This time, Tony Soprano wasn't around to help him out. Robert Iler, who plays the trouble-prone son of the television mob boss on HBO's The Sopranos, was arrested early Wednesday on robbery and drug possession charges. Iler, 16, of Manhattan was picked up by New York police with three other youths on charges of robbing two teens of about $40 just after midnight on Manhattan's Upper East Side. On the hit show, Iler plays A.J., the lone son of the character portrayed by James Gandolfini. Iler and the others were arrested when the 16-year-old victims flagged down a police cruiser, then drove around until they spotted the suspects in a nearby park, police said. One of the victims told police he was visiting from Brazil. All four suspects were held on the robbery charge. Iler also was charged with marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia, police said. Iler, handcuffed and with a stoic expression on his face, was taken to central booking in a police van. "Robert denies the allegations, and we are cooperating," said his attorney, Steven Mintz.
