Teens face adult charges in robbery

EPHRATA - Five teenagers who allegedly robbed a Moses Lake gas station were charged as adults this week.

Prosecutors charged Quincy teens Ruben Cornejo, 16, Miguel Martinez, 18, and Moses Lake teen Missael Herrera, 17, with first-degree robbery in Grant County Superior Court.

Cornejo and Herrera were charged as adults because state law requires 16- and 17-year-old defendants to be charged as adults for certain crimes, such as first-degree robbery.

Two 15- and 14-year-old Quincy boys were not named in the report, but were allegedly involved in the crime.

According to the police report, the group recently drove to Wenatchee and Cornejo reportedly attempted to rob two people, but both allegedly ran away. One person dropped a backpack that had pills inside, according to the report.

After attempting to rob the two people in Wenatchee, Cornejo allegedly stated he wanted to rob a gas station in Moses Lake.

According to the clerk, three suspects entered the station and allegedly demanded money. At first she thought they were joking until one suspect allegedly produced what looked to be an Uzi submachine gun and pointed it at her.

After collecting the money, the suspects allegedly fled in a van, but witnesses at the scene were able to notify law enforcement of the license plate.

The group of teenagers was apprehended in Quincy.

The suspects reportedly stole $154 from the cash register and 26 packs of cigarettes.

The three teenagers who entered the store were allegedly caught on camera.