Five juveniles charged in cell phone store robberies: Including Division Street

Five juveniles ranging in age from 14 to 16 were charged with a total of nine felonies and 14 misdemeanors in multiple cell phone store robberies, including the incident at 1819 W. Division on Jan. 3. 

In response to a cell phone store robbery on Jan. 11 at 1 p.m. in the 0 to 100 block of E. Harrison St., officers saw five male juveniles fleeing on foot.

The juveniles were detained and identified as the offenders that entered the Harrison store, armed with various cutting instruments. They threatened employees while removing cell phones from displays.

Three of the offenders were placed into custody on the 1400 black of S. Jefferson St. at approximately 1:38 p.m. and the other two were placed into custody on the 500 block of W. 14th Place at the same time.

One of the two 16-year-olds was identified in connection with two other robberies. The first was on Division St. on Jan. 3 where a 26 year-old male was stabbed. In the second case on Jan. 9, the offender attempted to force his way through the front door of a cell phone store while armed with a knife and in the company of other offenders. Employees were able to secure the door and the offenders fled.

This offender was charged with three felony counts of Armed Robbery – Other Dangerous Weapon, one felony count of Attempt Armed Robbery – Other Dangerous Weapon, one felony count of Aggravated Battery – Use of a Deadly Weapon and six misdemeanor counts of Aggravated Assault – Use of a Deadly Weapon.