INDIANAPOLIS – A group of teens is tormenting a south-side gas station. At least four times, they’ve stormed in, grabbing hundreds of dollars’ worth of food and drinks.
One of the teens, 18-year-old Jonathan Ratcliff, was arrested in connection with the robberies shortly after RTV6 aired a story Thursday. Sources say a family member brought him in and he confessed.
Employees at the Phillips 66 Gas Station in the 1400 block of South Meridian say they have been under siege from that group of teens.
Cameras have captured three brash and brazen teens stealing from the gas station, but rather than look for money, candy is apparently much sweeter than cash.
One cashier we talked to watched the thieves get away yet again on Monday night. Security footage shows the three storming into the store, grabbing candy, Slim Jims and drinks.
Police confirm at least four incidents they believe are linked to this same group of teens.
“(They are) potentially high school students – high school kids – so we’ve been working closely with the area schools,” IMPD Sgt. Kendale Adams said. “Quite honestly, they’re going to get hurt or they’re going to hurt someone.”
Police believe the teens likely live or attend school nearby. With their quest for candy so strong, they don’t even cover up their faces.
A cashier told RTV6 the teens often strike after the store has been freshly stocked, costing the business an estimated $3,000 in candy and soda, which is something employees say they would hand over for free.
The gas station manager says there is little they can do to stop these thefts. IMPD is in the process of identifying the teens and hopes they turn themselves in.
