FBI nab ‘Little Rascals’ gang who robbed bank – aged 11, 12 and 16
Not your average school holiday activity.
Three boys dubbed the ‘little rascals’ were caught after the FBI released images of them robbing a Texas bank on social media.
The boys, aged just 11, 12 and 16, robbed a Wells Fargo bank in Houston on March 14, during their spring break holidays.
One of the boys passed a ‘threatening note’ to a bank teller and the trio fled on foot with a wad of cash.
According to the sheriff’s office, the boys were suspected to be carrying a weapon but did not show one.
But the kids made a rookie mistake – they didn’t cover their faces or try to hide their identities.
Last Thursday, the FBI posted images of the three boys captured by the bank’s CCTV cameras on social media.
‘Recognize these “little rascals”? Believe it or not they just robbed the Wells Fargo at 10261 North Freeway,’ the post read.
The FBI added that anyone who knew the identity of the boys should get in contact with police immediately.
People online were shocked by how young the boys looked.
‘Don’t even look old enough to drive. Was one of their moms the getaway driver’ one person said.
Another added: ‘What’s more embarrassing, getting robbed by middle schoolers or the FBI not being able to find them?’
Two of the boys were identified to the authorities by their parents following the social media post, and the third boy was found by law enforcement.
The police said that they recovered a weapon.
The boys were taken to the Harris County Juvenile Detention Centre on Wednesday following their arrest, where they were charged with ‘robbery by threat’.
A judge will decide whether they will remain in detention or be able to go home.
The identities of the boys have not been revealed because they are juveniles.
In Texas, a juvenile is anyone over 10 years old but under 17.
A juvenile district court judge, Mike Schneider, told local news station ABC13 that an adult could be behind the crime.
‘Because kids have a punishment that is less severe, it is not uncommon for adult offenders to get them to commit crimes,’ Schneider said.
The police have not confirmed whether the boys acted alone.
If the boys are convicted, they could face probation until they are 18 or juvenile prison until they turn 19.