Police say Norman Berrios was beat up and robbed as he played basketball with a friend before school.

The incident happened Monday morning on the courts at Citrus Grove Middle School located off Northwest 22nd Avenue and 7th Street in Miami.

Students told Local 10’s Carlos Suarez Berrios tried to put up a fight, but left school with a bloodied face, after several people jumped out of a car and approached him.

Police say the three teenagers responsible for the attack first robbed another student at nearby Miami High School, before driving a few blocks and setting their sights on Berrios.

In both hold-ups, police say the trio was going after the students’ iPhone, and in both cases the students refused to give them up. That move, police say, isn’t smart.

"He's cool and nice," says Hector Diaz, a boy who goes to school with Berrios. "I don't know why they would do that to him."

Berrios’ classmates say teachers and security at the school have warned them to keep their belongings secured, in their pockets, away from those with wandering eyes and a clenched fist.

"I never put my phone in the book bag, because I've seen kids when they open the pouch," said Giancarlo Justo, another student who attends Citrus Grove Middle.  "So I always put it in my pocket."