GENTRY — Quick response by the Gentry Police Department led to the arrest of a 13-year-old boy accused of robbing the Phillips 66 Station, at the corner of Arkansas Highways 12 and 59 in Gentry, with a loaded revolver late Tuesday afternoon.

At approximately 5:25 p.m. Tuesday, the unidentified juvenile allegedly "entered the store and, after other patrons had left, approached the counter, pointed a dark-colored handgun at [the store clerk] and demanded cigarettes," according to a police department news release. The juvenile also took other store items in the robbery but did not ask for cash.

"The store clerk responded exactly as she should have," Gentry Police Chief Keith Smith said, indicating she stayed calm during the robbery and called 911 as soon as the youth left the store and fled behind a nearby business on foot.

Part-time Gentry officer Charles Brockmeyer arrived within seconds of the 911 call, according to Smith, and arrested the juvenile without incident after a short foot pursuit. Brockmeyer found the juvenile to be in possession of the loaded .22 caliber revolver used in the robbery and a second unloaded revolver, according Smith. The youth was also in possession of the items taken in the store robbery.

Officer Jeremy Ferguson, who was busy with Smith on another police matter at the the time of the call, immediately broke away and secured the crime scene, Smith said.

No one was injured in the robbery or the arrest, according to Smith.

The juvenile is alleged to have stolen the handguns from his parents' locked bedroom after breaking into the room with an ax, Smith said.

Smith also said he believes the juvenile planned the robbery in a runaway attempt.

The youth was later transported to the Benton County Juvenile Detention Center and held pending a hearing, according to the news release.

Last Wednesday morning, police had pretty much wrapped up the case and were preparing reports. Smith said the department had obtained store video of the robbery, as well as other evidence in the case.

Smith had nothing but praise for his part-time officer's quick response and proper handling of the juvenile arrest.

The 13-year-old boy made his first court appearance Friday morning and told a circuit judge he wants to remain at the Benton County Juvenile Detention Center rather than return home to his mother and stepfather.

Prosecutors filed a juvenile delinquency petition against the teen, charging him with aggravated robbery, a Class Y felony, and minor in possession of a handgun, a Class A misdemeanor.

Judge Tom Smith told the teen he faces serious charges, and if he was an adult, he could face a life sentence for aggravated robbery. The teen pleaded not guilty to the charges Friday.

Judge Smith appointed the Public Defender’s Office to represent the teen.

Bryan Sexton, deputy public defender, requested the teen remain at the juvenile detention center and not be released to his parents.

The judge asked the boy’s mother why her son wanted to stay in the juvenile detention center instead of going home. “Because he doesn’t get along with my husband,” the mother said.

Smith ordered the teen to remain at the juvenile detention center. A review hearing is set for 2:30 p.m. Feb. 14.

News, Pages 1 on 02/06/2013