Police: 12-year-old tried to rob Stockton gas station at gunpoint, fled on skateboard

A 12-year-old boy was arrested Thursday in Stockton on suspicion of attempted armed robbery, police said.

According to the Stockton Police Department, the incident occurred Monday at an ARCO gas station at 2908 W. Ben Holt Drive on Monday. The alleged crime was caught on surveillance camera.

The boy, who pointed a gun at a clerk and eventually fled empty-handed on a skateboard, was arrested at Sierra Middle School. The campus was searched for weapons, but none were found, according to Sacramento TV station Fox 40.

"He is arrested for attempted armed robbery and those are some serious charges, even for a 12-year-old," said officer Joe Silva.

The Record of Stockton reported the boy was armed and wearing a purple bandana over his face when he entered the gas station at about 2:45 p.m. He pointed his gun at a clerk, demanded money and eventually fled on a skateboard empty-handed after the clerk had alerted another employee, the newspaper reported.

Police acted on several tips before making the arrest. The boy was booked into San Joaquin County Juvenile Hall, The Record reported.

Tom Uslan, Lincoln Unified School District Superintendent, told Fox 40: "My heart breaks for everybody involved. The family, most importantly perhaps. I'm glad there was nobody hurt."

This story was originally published January 26, 2018 at 7:35 AM with the headline "Police: 12-year-old tried to rob Stockton gas station at gunpoint, fled on skateboard."