Her screams prompted the three to run off and she managed to keep her bag.
Badly shaken, she went to a nearby house and called her family, who then called police.
While investigations and potential witness interviews were still being carried out into that incident the second attack, again with three males involved, took place.
Detective Sergeant Emmet Lynch of the Hawke's Bay CIB said the teenager had been walking from his home in Pirimai to a friend's house in Onekawa when he was approached.
"They assaulted him and stole his cellphone and brand new shoes."
The teen was struck around the head during the robbery and was left with bruising and swelling.
After his attackers ran off toward Gallipoli Rd he went to a friend's place and called the police.
"He was pretty shaken up."
Mr Lynch said the attack happened in a quiet part of the suburb on a street which was not a major thoroughfare.
"These people could live near that area."
After the teenager was interviewed description similarities of the offenders in both incidents emerged.
"At this stage ... we can't say for certain they are linked but we cannot rule it out."
In the Wellesley Rd attack the offenders were described as male Maori, aged between 18 and 20. One was average height and solid build, wearing a tight-fitting black hoodie jacket with a zip up front and a red and white bandanna hanging from a pocket on the front of his jeans. He also wore a pair of dirty dog sunglasses.
Another was average height and medium build, wearing a red hoodie jacket with white writing across the front and red draw strings. He also wore black baggy jeans.
The third offender was described as about 1.5m tall and of medium build.
The ages of the three male Maori involved in the Anzac Ave robbery were described as aged 16 to 20. One was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and another a "clean looking" white hooded sweatshirt. They made off with the victim's brand new black leather-look shoes.
"We want to hear from anyone who may have seen anyone resembling these groups of people, around those areas at any time of the night," Mr Lynch said.
Calls can be made to police on 831 0700 or the anonymous CrimeStoppers line 0800 555 111.