`SOPRANOS' ACTOR ARRESTED ON ROBBERY, DRUG CHARGES

The 16-year-old actor who plays the son of TV mob boss Tony Soprano
was arrested early Wednesday in New York on robbery and drug
possession charges.

Robert Iler of New York was picked up by police with three other
youths for allegedly robbing two teens of about $40 just after
midnight. He pleaded innocent to the charges at his arraignment
Wednesday night and was released after posting $2,500 bail.

The 16-year-old victims flagged down a police cruiser, then drove
around until they spotted the suspects in a nearby park, police said.

Iler also was charged with marijuana possession and possession of
drug paraphernalia, police said.

Iler plays A.J. Soprano, the son of the Mafia boss played by James
Gandolfini on the HBO show ``The Sopranos.''

Also arrested on the robbery charge were Michael Cournede, 19, of
Queens; Alban Selimaj, 16, of Manhattan; and a 15-year-old boy whose
name was not released.