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Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Fourth teen charged in alleged plan to rob convenience store

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 08/3/2012 12:20 PM

Winnipeg police report they are holding a fourth male youth, 17, in custody in connection with a conspiracy to rob a North End convenience store Wednesday night.

Three teenaged boys had been charged Thursday, also with conspiracy to commit robbery and several weapons-related charges.

Winnipeg police said three boys were spotted crouching beside a convenience store in the 400 block of Mountain Avenue around 9 p.m. Wednesday night.

WPS spokesman Patrol Sgt. Wally Antoniuk credits the person who noticed them with preventing a robbery.

The person thought the three boys were suspicious, Antoniuk said, adding they were wearing hoodies with the hoods up and had concealed their hands inside their clothing.

"This is an excellent example of citizen participation," Antoniuk said. "He did not directly intervene but took the opportunity to flag down a cruiser car that happened to be driving through the area."

Police took three male suspects into custody without incident.

Antoniuk said all three boys have affiliations with a local street gang and are known to police.

The three youths, aged 13, 14 and 15, also face other charges.

The 17-year-old, along with the 13-year-old face a charge related to knowing about the firearms that the 14-year-old and 15-year-old are charged with carrying.

The fourth youth was arrested Thursday, police said in a statement.