Armed 15-year-old arrested in Visalia holdup attempt

A 15-year-old boy with a loaded handgun was arrested Thursday night after a bungled robbery at a market in Visalia, police report.

The incident took place about 9:49 p.m. at B&N Market in the 100 block of Northeast Third Street.

A caller told police the boy brandished the weapon and tried to steal merchandise, but fled on a bicycle when a customer walked in. About an hour later, an officer saw a suspect who matched the description of the bandit in the 300 block of Northeast Second Street. The suspect was carrying a handgun and was identified as the robber.

He was booked into juvenile hall on attempted robbery charges.

This story was originally published May 22, 2015 at 8:41 AM with the headline "Armed 15-year-old arrested in Visalia holdup attempt."