Suspects arrested after Kennewick teen robbed at gunpoint

Kennewick police have arrested two teenagers who allegedly robbed another juvenile with what is believed to be a pellet gun resembling an AK-47 rifle.

The 15-year-old male victim is an acquaintance of one of the suspects, a 16-year-old, a news release said. The two were texting Wednesday evening when they agreed to meet to catch up.

Upon meeting, the friend led the victim away from the original meeting place at a business in the 1900 block of Steptoe Street to nearby railroad tracks. That’s where the other suspect jumped out from behind a bush holding the weapon and demanded the victim empty his pockets.

The victim went to disarm the weapon-wielding suspect and a wrestling match resulted, but the suspect eventually regained control of the gun and again pointed it at the victim. The victim turned over his cellphone and skateboard, and the suspects fled.

The victim’s parents called police after their son returned home and told them what happened. Police could not initially find the suspects, but an off-duty Richland police officer spotted them near Highlands Middle School the next day. The suspects attempted to flee, but officers caught them and took them into custody.

This story was originally published May 15, 2016 at 4:40 PM with the headline "Suspects arrested after Kennewick teen robbed at gunpoint."