LOCAL : Five Anaheim Youths Arrested in Convenience-Store Robberies

Five juveniles suspected of robbing five convenience stores in Orange County within a three-hour period this morning were arrested as they were pulling off their fifth robbery, police said today.

The juveniles, all of Anaheim, have been booked on robbery charges and are being held at the Orange County Juvenile Hall.

The arrests occurred about 4:30 this morning after Officer Robert Wardle of Anaheim Police observed the suspects robbing the Circle K store in the 300 block of North Brookhurst Street, police said.

“As (Wardle) watched from outside, two suspects jumped over the counter (and) made the clerk lie on the floor,” Sgt. Ken Brott said. “Wardle took a position near the door, and as they began to leave, he told them to halt. They ran back inside.”

By then, officers summoned by Wardle arrived and surrounded the convenience store. Police ordered the suspects to lie on the floor and then exit the store one at a time, Brott said. The suspects complied with the order.

Brott said police seized a handgun, a knife and a screwdriver which the youths allegedly used as a weapon. Beer, cigarettes and an undisclosed amount of money also was recovered.