Docs: 16-year-old used fake handgun during robbery in Lawrence

LAWRENCE, Ind. -- Lawrence police have arrested a 16-year-old who claimed he was blackmailed to help commit a robbery to pay back $20 he owed for a Yankees hat.




On July 28, officers with the Lawrence Police Department responded to a robbery that was in progress on East 47th Street. When police arrived on the scene, they met and spoke with the victim, who said the teen suspect had scheduled a haircut via a phone app.




The victim explained that he cuts clients' hair from a studio space inside his home. When the victim and the suspect were standing near the barber chair, he claimed another individual pulled out a kitchen knife and demanded that he give him all of the cash he had.




The victim said the 16-year-old then allegedly lifted his shirt, revealing a handgun that was tucked inside his waistband.




The victim said he then took the knife from the suspect before both individuals reportedly fled the area. The victim said he chased the suspect for a short time before requesting assistance from police.




The barber said he recognized the suspect from school and provided his identity to the police. As part of their investigation, police came across multiple photos the suspect posted on Instagram and determined he reportedly used the social media platform to contact the barber.




Detectives located an account they believed belonged to the suspect, in which a teen can be seen allegedly carrying "many types of handguns with drum and extended magazines attached to them," court documents revealed.




The same male also reportedly posted videos showing bags of marijuana alongside more firearms. The school resource officer confirmed this was an active student at Lawrence Central High School and shared additional information that appeared to corroborate the information provided by the barber and photos and videos they had collected for evidence.




Detectives then executed a search warrant on a vehicle that was registered to the suspect's mother. Court documents show they found a toy AR gun in the back hatch compartment of the vehicle.




They also searched a residence on N. Hartman Drive, where they found real handguns and numerous fake ones.




Police then placed the 16-year-old into custody and transported him to the Lawrence Police Department for an interview alongside his mother. During the interview, the suspect said an acquaintance had reached out to him to see if he wanted to carry out a robbery on the barber that would land them both a "$6,000 score."




The suspect told police he owed this acquaintance $20 for a red New York Yankees hat that he had bought from him in February. The 16-year-old then reportedly admitted to scheduling an appointment with the barber for July 28 at 3 p.m.




He then admitted to using a fake black revolver with a brown handle during the botched robbery. He also told detectives that he and the other suspect only walked away with $40 before the barber chased them outside.




Court documents show that the suspect initially denied using the fake handgun for intimidation before later admitting, "Obviously I was."




Online court records indicate the 16-year-old has been preliminarily charged with Armed Robbery (Level 3 Felony) and Dangerous Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon (Class A Misdemeanor). He is scheduled to appear in Marion Superior Court 29 on Oct. 16 for a jury trial.





via: https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/docs-16-year-old-used-fake-handgun-during-robbery-in-lawrence/