Sopranos boy denies robbery

A 16-year-old actor in popular United States TV series ‘‘The Sopranos’’ has denied any involvement in a 40 dollar (£28) robbery.

Robert Iler, who plays the troubled son of mobster Tony Soprano in the hit HBO TV series, and three other youths were arrested on Wednesday.

Iler pleaded not guilty in a New York court to two counts of second-degree robbery and one count of marijuana possession.

‘‘I feel terribly embarrassed,’’ Iler said in a statement. ‘‘I never, ever would or did rob anybody in my life.

‘‘I know that the events of the past two days have been extremely difficult for my family and friends, and for that I am deeply sorry.’’

The four were picked up by New York police for allegedly robbing two teenagers. Iler had a bag of marijuana and a water pipe in his pocket when he was arrested, police said.

Police said the oldest of the four, Michael Cournede, 19, approached the victims and ordered them to hand over their money. The other suspects allegedly threatened to harm the victims if they did not comply.

Iler’s lawyer, Steven Mintz, said Iler was not involved.

‘‘My client didn’t threaten anybody. My client didn’t hear anybody threaten anybody. My client didn’t hear anyone ask for money,’’ Mintz said.

‘‘Robert didn’t hear anybody or see anybody receive money. And he only learned what had happened much later when he was picked up.’’

Iler was remanded on bail on a bond of $2,500.

Over the three-year run of The Sopranos, Iler’s character, Anthony ‘‘A.J.’’ Soprano Jr., has repeatedly found trouble: smoking pot in the family garage, vandalising his high school, and cheating on a test.

Iler’s mother, Helen, told reporters it was the first time her son had been in real-life trouble ‘‘and it will be the last’’.