By Carolyn Smith
The Belleville News-Democrat
BROOKLYN, Ill. — A 17-year-old Brooklyn man was charged with attempted armed robbery after he and a juvenile attempted to rob agents with the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southern Illinois.
No one was injured and police were able to arrest the two suspects involved.
Austin Johnson, of the Thomas Terry Apartments in Brooklyn, was charged with attempted armed robbery. He and a juvenile, whom police would not identify, attempted to rob the undercover police officers Thursday afternoon.
Johnson is currently being held at the St. Clair County jail in lieu of $75,000 bail. If convicted of the class 1 felony, Johnson could be sentenced to a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 15 years in prison.
The agents were in Brooklyn working an undercover drug detail when the incident occurred, said MEGSI Director Joe Beliveau.
“Two males approached the undercover vehicle and attempted to rob them at gunpoint,” said Beliveau.
The agents were able to arrest both suspects after a foot chase. Police said they recovered a .22 caliber revolver that the suspects had in their possession.
The juvenile, who is also from Brooklyn, is being held at the St. Clair County Juvenile Detention Center, Beliveau said.
Copyright 2008 The Belleville News-Democrat