Prosecutors charge boy bandits who robbed Bellevue Chevron

Prosecutors charge boy bandits who robbed Bellevue Chevron

The gun-wielding teen who allegedly robbed a Bellevue gas station Sunday had bragged to accomplices that he could hold up a convenience store to buy an Xbox, according to charging papers.

King County prosecutors have charged four boys between the ages of 11 and 15 with first-degree robbery because of the heist.

One of the suspects, a 15-year-old, allegedly held up the gas station with his 11-year-old brother while two others, both 15, hid behind bushes across the street.

The robbery occurred around 11:43 p.m. at a Chevron gas station at 16256 NE Eighth St.

According to charging papers, the 11-year-old brought candy to the register to distract the clerk. His brother then snuck behind the worker, put the man in a chokehold and shoved a pellet gun against his back, demanding money.

The boys made off with around $200 from the till, running south on 164th Ave. SE and tossing the pistol in a yard on NE Fifth St., prosecutors said.

A police officer recognized the suspects from a surveillance video, and their mother identified them as her sons from video stills.

Police located the four boys on the 16400 block of Main Street and arrested them.

Prosecutors say the two brothers exchanged clothing with their accomplices after the robbery.

The boys first targeted a Bellevue 7-Eleven, but called off the attempt because the clerk was “too big to rob,” according to charging papers.

The mother of the two brothers said the younger of her sons left a note on the night of the robbery. It said: “Sorry Mom. I went out. I love you.”