Teen pleads not guilty to Gentry armed robbery

A 13-year-old boy pleaded not guilty Friday to criminal charges in connection with an armed robbery of a Gentry convenience store.

The boy made his first court appearance Friday morning after being arrested a few days earlier in connection with armed robbery at Phillips 66 in Gentry. The business is at the corner of Arkansas highways 12 and 59.

According to a news release from the Gentry Police Department, the teen entered the store at 5:25 p.m. Tuesday. After customers left the business he approached the counter, brandished a handgun and demanded cigarettes, according to the news release.

The boy did not ask for cash but took other items, the news release stated.

Part-time Gentry officer Charles Brockmeyer arrived after the 911 call and arrested the juvenile without incident after a short foot pursuit. The juvenile was found with a loaded .22 caliber revolver and a second unloaded revolver, according to Gentry Police Chief Keith Smith. The youth also had items taken in the store robbery.

Prosecutors filed a juvenile delinquency petition against the teen charging him with aggravated robbery, a Class Y felony, and minor in possession of a handgun, a Class A misdemeanor.

The teen has been held in the juvenile detention center since his arrest.

Judge Tom Smith told the teen he was facing serious charges and if he was adult then he could be facing a life sentence for the aggravated robbery

Smith appointed the Benton County Public Defender’s Office to represent the teen.

The judge ordered that the teen remain in the juvenile detention center.

A review hearing is set for Feb. 14.

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