Three juveniles in custody after reported armed robbery in Paducah

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

PADUCAH, Ky., (KBSI) — Three juveniles are in custody following a reported armed robbery that police later determined involved a drug and firearm exchange.

Paducah police responded around 4:35 p.m. Wednesday to the 3400 block of Minnich Avenue after receiving reports that a juvenile male had been assaulted and robbed at gunpoint. The teen told officers a black passenger car stopped beside him, and two suspects got out, attacked him and stole his cell phone. He also said one suspect pointed a handgun at him.

Officers later located two juveniles matching the suspects’ description in the 2700 block of Harrison Street. Police recovered the victim’s cell phone and student identification card, and a black .40-caliber handgun was found in nearby bushes. Both juveniles were lodged in the McCracken County Juvenile Detention Facility on charges of first-degree robbery and tampering with physical evidence.

As the investigation continued, detectives determined the victim’s story was false. Police said he admitted to stealing the handgun from a family member and arranging to meet the suspects to trade it for drugs. When the suspects arrived, they allegedly assaulted him and stole his phone and the firearm.

The teen was subsequently charged with theft of a firearm and also lodged in the McCracken County Juvenile Detention Facility.

All three suspects are 15 years old.