Staff report

Beaumont officers responded early Thursday to an auto-theft-in-progress call at Michael’s parking lot, 4450 Dowlen Road.

There, the victim, a 65-year-old employee, said four males wearing dark hoodies and facial coverings approached him in the parking lot and one pointed a gun in his face, forcing him from the vehicle. The suspects took the victim’s mobile phone and wallet, then fled in the victim’s beige Chevrolet Equinox.

Police said in an issued statement that a short time later, an officer located the stolen Chevrolet Equinox and the four juvenile suspects at 5080 Helbig. Officers recovered a stolen firearm and other evidence. Detectives believe the suspects were possibly involved in at least one other recent robbery.

The four juvenile suspects were arrested and charged with aggravated robbery and engaging in organized criminal activity. They were booked in the Minnie Rogers Juvenile Justice Facility.

Two of the juveniles were 15 years old; one 14; and the fourth was 16. The 14-year-old was on probation for a previous robbery, police said.

A news release said officers that arrested and booked the juveniles said all four were laughed and joked throughout the booking process, insisting they would only be placed on probation.