Five teenagers, aged between 15 and 17, landed themselves in hot water on Monday following a failed robbery attempt in Ajax.
Durham Regional Police revealed that these youngsters were not exactly criminal masterminds. The whole episode unfolded around 1:20 p.m. when employees at a Freedom Mobile store on 235 Bayly Street West raised the alarm upon seeing a group of masked and gloved individuals lingering in a parked car outside.
Sensing trouble, the vigilant employees promptly secured the store’s doors, a move that proved crucial when the teens tried to force their way in but were thwarted by the locked entrance.
As the situation unfolded, law enforcement officers were already en route and managed to intercept the suspects’ purportedly stolen getaway vehicle, prompting the teenagers to make a hasty escape on foot. However, their flight was short-lived as the police swiftly apprehended them after a brief chase.
The five suspects, comprising a 15-year-old, two 16-year-olds, and two 17-year-olds, now find themselves facing charges of robbery, possession of stolen property, and wearing disguises with criminal intent.
It was also revealed that two of the apprehended individuals were already under certain conditions related to previous break-and-enter offenses.
The group remains in custody pending a scheduled bail hearing.