BEAUMONT, Texas — Nederland Police arrested two teens early Friday morning after they say one of them fired a shot while trying to carjack a woman at a Taco Bell.
Police arrested a 13-year-old and a 16-year-old boy in connection with the attempted carjacking that happened at about 2 a.m. at the Taco Bell on Highway 365 according to Nederland Police Chief Gary Porter.
Both were taken into custody about a half mile away from the scene following a search and were taken to the Minnie Rogers Juvenile Justice Center.
The 13-year-old, who was armed with what police say was a stolen 9 mm handgun, fired a shot into the woman's car during the attempted robbery Porter told 12News.
"The firearm that was used was stolen in Port Arthur. Don't leave firearms in your vehicles, it's arming criminals in our area," Porter said.
Officers found the handgun in a nearby yard he said.
"Just because someone is a young teenager doesn't mean they aren't dangerous," Porter said.
Officers from the Nederland and Port Neches Police Departments responded to the robbery and set up a perimeter until the teens were found.
Police are looking into the possibility they are the same pair that stole a car with a wedding cake inside it in May 2023 according to Porter. That theft was caught on a surveillance camera.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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