BENTONVILLE — A 13-year-old boy told a circuit judge he wants to remain at the Benton County Juvenile Detention Center rather than return home to his mother and stepfather.

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

Gentry police said the boy entered the store at 5:25 p.m., approached the counter, pointed a dark-colored handgun at the store clerk and demanded cigarettes. The boy didn’t ask for cash but took other items, according to a news release.

Part-time Gentry officer Charles Brockmeyer arrived after a 911 call and arrested the boy after chasing him a short distance. The boy had a loaded .22-caliber revolver and a second unloaded revolver, Police Chief Keith Smith said. The boy also had items taken in the store robbery.

Smith said the teen is believed to have stolen the guns from his parents’ locked bedroom after breaking into the room with an ax. Smith believes the juvenile planned the robbery as part of a runaway attempt.

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 boy has been held in the juvenile detention center in Bentonville since his arrest.

Judge Tom Smith told the teen he faces serious charges, and if he was an adult, he could face a life sentence for aggravated robbery. The teen pleaded not guilty to the charges Friday.

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

Bryan Sexton, deputy public defender, requested the teen remain at the juvenile detention center and not be released to his parents.

The judge asked the boy’s mother why her son wanted to stay in the juvenile detention center instead of going home. “Because he doesn’t get along with my husband,” the mother said.

Smith ordered the teen to remain at the juvenile detention center. A review hearing is set for 2:30 p.m. Feb. 14.