3 juveniles arrested following series of armed robberies in Indy

INDIANAPOLIS — This week, police are investigating a series of armed robberies involving teenage suspects around Indianapolis.

Police and court records show at least three teens, ages 14 to 17, were arrested for 3 different armed robberies this week.

On Wednesday afternoon, at the Sterling Apartments near Madison and Stop 11, police arrested a 14-year-old and an 18-year-old following an armed robbery involving tennis shoes.

A day earlier, on Tuesday, Lawrence police arrested a 17-year-old from Gary, along with a 25-year-old, following an armed robbery at the Marathon gas station near 42nd and Post.

That same day an armed robbery turned into a shooting that left one man wounded on North College. That led to the arrest of a 17-year-old and a 20-year-old.

Aside from the young age of the suspects, the cases aren’t connected, but some community leaders said they do illustrate a growing problem.

“A lot of teens are making bad choices and bad decisions,” said Reverend Malachi Walker.

Reverend Walker, who kicked off his 30th annual youth empowerment camp with Young Men Inc. last month, urges the kids he mentors to think before they act.

“Our community could be a better place if a lot of young men would just make good decisions,” said Walker.

In a fourth case last week, a man claimed he was carjacked and his rental car was stolen by seven juveniles armed with AK-47 style rifles and handguns at an apartment complex near Washington and 465.

According to the affidavit in that case, a 20-year-old was arrested for that crime, although none of the other half dozen underage suspects have been caught.

The series of crimes has Reverend Walker encouraging all parents to warn their kids that bad decisions come with consequences.

“We have to really teach our young boys and girls too how to make better decisions and choices and let them know what the consequences are,” said Walker.

Walker believes speaking to kids about avoiding peer pressure can also prevent violence.

“One of our workshops we do during our empowerment camp is resisting peer pressure, because that’s a big one,” said Walker. “That peer pressure can be deadly as well.”

In many of the cases police credit technology, specifically the use of automated license plate readers, with helping them track down and find the suspects.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 59.