Robbery foiled by lack of victims

JOLIET, Ill., Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Police in Illinois say they arrested a trio of would-be robbers allegedly stymied when they couldn't find any victims inside their targeted store.

Joliet Police Deputy Chief Mike Trafton said the suspects -- Sanjuan Reyes, 22, Jose Torres, 17, and a 16-year-old boy -- met up in an alley near the Supermercado Viva Mexico store about 7:30 p.m. Monday, the Joliet Herald-News reported Wednesday.

"They'd decided to rob the grocery store and put on ski masks and bandannas. The 16-year-old went inside with an air pistol while the other two acted as lookouts," Trafton said.

However, Trafton said the teenager came back out of the store a moment later and told the lookouts he couldn't find anyone inside.

"All three of the suspects admitted to trying to rob the store," Trafton said.

The trio lingered nearby and were arrested by police after a neighbor reported men in masks carrying weapons near the store.

The juvenile was taken to the River Valley Juvenile Detention Center. Reyes and Torres were arrested and charged with attempted robbery.

Reyes also faces charges of obstructing justice and failing to appear on three outstanding warrants. Torres was also charged with resisting a police officer for allegedly scratching paint from a cell door.