BEAUMONT, Texas — Beaumont Police arrested three teenagers after an armed robbery at the Dollar General store Monday.
Officers found Abdul Akbar, 17, Daniel Boutte, 17, and Waynan Cormier, 19, all from Beaumont, near 11th Street and Delaware Street soon after the robbery and arrested them after a car chase, Officer Haley Morrow said in a news release.
The three were charged with aggravated robbery and taken to the Jefferson County Jail.
The robbery happened at the Dollar General in the 2700 block of East Lucas around 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 15, Morrow said. Witnesses told police that three black men robbed the store and one of them was carrying a firearm. While officers were on the way, one witness told 911 dispatch that the three suspects fled eastbound on East Lucas Drive in a maroon car.
When officers found the car near 11th Street and Delaware Street, the driver fled west on Delaware Street, then stopped near Delaware Street and French Road. One of the teens ran away, but officers found him after about 10 minutes of searching.
Morrow said the officers found firearm in a park in the same area that the third suspect was caught.
The other two were arrested at Delaware Street and French Road.
"Thank you to the citizen who called 911 and gave a good description of the suspects, their vehicle and which direction they fled," Morrow said in the statement. "Also, great job to our patrol officers who were able to locate the vehicle, pursue the dangerous suspects, and apprehend them without incident."
Morrow said a witness being able to call 911 quickly and give police an description of the suspects played a crucial role in these arrests.
"That is so critical when an incident occurs because obviously when criminals are committing a crime they know that the police are going to be called, and they don't want to be there when we arrive," Morrow said.
Cydni Bellard said she saw the last suspect being arrested in her driveway.
"They ran in the yard and he was chasing him, and he pulled a gun out," she said.
Bellard said she was worried the man would try to shoot her or her family, but officers were able to arrest him quickly.
Morrow said if anyone finds themselves in a situation where a robbery is happening, police advocate compliance. Once you're out of harm's way, remain call, call 911 and give a description of what the person looks like. Tattoos are always a helpful identifier, Morrow said.
"We don't want anyone to loose their life over property," Morrow said.
The teens could face additional charges for evading in their car, a felony, and on foot, a misdemeanor, as well as tampering with evidence, Morrow said.
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