3 Texas Juveniles Dubbed 'the Little Rascals' — Ages 11, 12 and 16 — Accused of Bank Robbery
The boys allegedly walked into a bank and showed a threatening letter to the teller before fleeing on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash
The FBI has arrested three minors in connection with a bank robbery in Houston, Texas, the agency announced on Tuesday.
The boys, aged 11, 12 and 16, have been dubbed “ “little rascals” by the agency – a reference to the 1955 TV series about the mischievous adventures of a group of kids in a low-income neighborhood.
“All three bank robbery suspects known as the 'little rascals' are in custody,” the agency announced on X (formerly Twitter).
Authorities did not provide any further details about the boys' identities because they are juveniles.
Earlier, on March 14, the agency alleged in a post on X the trio had allegedly robbed a Wells Fargo bank in Houston.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office, who is investigating the case, said the boys came into the bank and allegedly showed a threatening note to a teller, ABC 13 reported.
The sheriff’s office said the boys were suspected to be carrying a weapon but did not show one, the outlet reported. Authorities said the boys allegedly fled with some cash but did not disclose the amount.
The FBI said they fled on foot. The agency released photos of the juvenile suspects in its March 14 announcement.
“Recognize these "little rascals"? Believe it or not they just robbed the Wells Fargo at 10261 North Freeway,” the post said.
Investigators said two of the suspects were then turned in by their own parents who recognized them from the photos released by the FBI, KIAH reported.
Experts have expressed shock at the age of the suspects.
"The age of the younger two, that's unusual for a bank robbery," retired juvenile district court judge Mike Schneider told ABC13. "It's one of the first times I've seen that."
Schneider also suggested there may have been an adult behind the alleged crime.
“Because kids have a punishment that is less severe, it is not uncommon for adult offenders to get them to commit crimes," he told the outlet.
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The boys have been charged with robbery by threat, FBI Houston said. It wasn't immediately clear if they're being held in a juvenile facility, or if they've entered pleas or retained attorneys.
If they are convicted, they could face probation until they are 18, or juvenile prison until they turn 19, a criminal defense attorney told ABC 13.
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