Teen held for robbery attempt at store

A Portland teen was arrested after he allegedly tried to rob a local convenience store.

Portland Police Department received a call shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday to respond to an armed robbery at Pak-A-Sak, 1300 N. Meridian St.

No items or cash were stolen in the encounter, said police chief Dustin Mock.

The 16-year-old boy allegedly ran into the convenience store, told the store clerk to empty the cash register and pointed a gun in her face, according to authorities. The clerk then hit the store’s panic button to alert police, and the boy fled on foot heading north.

The suspect voluntarily surrendered at Portland Police Department with his parents about half an hour later. He was taken into custody without incident, according to a press release shared by Portland police. The boy was referred to the Youth Opportunity Center.

Portland police and Jay County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the scene Thursday. Investigation into the case is ongoing, the release says.