3 Boys Held After Wells Fargo Robbery

PALMDALE —  Three boys--one only 12--were arrested Friday in connection with the robbery of a Wells Fargo Bank branch inside a supermarket, authorities said.

Two 17-year-old boys entered the Vons market in the 2600 block of East Palmdale Boulevard about 2:45 p.m. and confronted the lone employee, said Sgt. Susan Cross of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

One of the boys kept watch with a sawed-off shotgun partly hidden beneath his jacket while the other ordered the bank teller to fill a bag with cash, Cross said. The pair ran from the store with an undetermined amount of money, driving off in a red Toyota.

A male customer, yelling “there’s been a robbery,” leaped into his car to chase the boys, following them to a residence in the 3800 block of Puerta Avenue, Cross said. The man then returned to the bank and gave the information to deputies.

Deputy John Rush went to the residence and saw one of the boys near the car and arrested him, according to authorities. Other deputies arrived and arrested the other suspect and the 12-year-old in the house.

Authorities said the younger boy--brother of one of the suspects--admitted to hiding the money and gun in the house. The bank teller and the witness identified the two 17-year-olds, Cross said. Deputies found the money and shotgun inside.

The two older boys were being held at Sylmar Juvenile Hall for armed robbery, Cross said. The younger boy was booked as an accessory to the robbery but was released to his parents, authorities said.