Teens nabbed in robbery attempt

Star Beacon

May 12, 2008 11:13 pm

— GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE — The two 16-year-old boys accused of pulling a knife to rob two classmates outside Eddie’s Grill Saturday night were charged with attempted robbery and disorderly conduct Monday, Police Chief Tim Bruckman said.
The incident occurred at 8 p.m. Saturday, when one boy pulled a switchblade from his pocket and threatened two other 16-year-olds. One suspect held the knife while the second suspect tried to take money from the two victims, Bruckman said.
“There was a switchblade involved, but no one was hurt, and no money was stolen,” Bruckman said. “I don’t think any of the kids had any money on them.”
Bruckman said the situation was a teenage argument that “escalated to a potentially dangerous level.”
“This seems to be an argument that carried over from school and manifested Saturday night. It began as a fight but quickly got out of hand for these kids,” Bruckman said.
Bruckman said the suspects took off on foot, starting at the south parking lot across the street from Eddie’s Grill. Village officers called Ashtabula County sheriff’s deputies and the Geneva police for backup in the incident, dispatch records show.
The two teenage suspects were cited in Western County Court and are being detained at the Ashtabula County Youth Detention Center in Ashtabula Township, Bruckman said.
Other than the fight, Bruckman said the village had a rather sleepy soft-opening weekend.
“We had a couple of calls but nothing serious. I expect that will change as we get into the busy summer months,” he said.
The official opening of the 139th summer season at Geneva-on-the-Lake starts Memorial Day weekend, on May 24.