Parents of boy bank robbers dubbed as ‘little rascals’ turned them in, HCSO says

Houston, Texas (KTRK) — The trio of suspects in the bank robbery case, nicknamed the “little rascals,” has been apprehended, as confirmed by FBI Houston.

The three individuals gained notoriety after law enforcement officials posted on social media seeking information about them for their alleged involvement in robbing a Wells Fargo bank situated on the North Freeway and West Road in the Greenpoint area.

Initially, a witness estimated the age of the suspects to be between 14 and 18 years old. However, in an update on the arrests, the FBI disclosed that the suspects are aged 16, 12, and 11 years.

“The ages of the younger two individuals are uncommon for a bank robbery,” remarked Mike Schneider, a retired juvenile district court judge, in an interview with . “It’s one of the first instances I’ve encountered.”

While the surveillance photos were released by FBI Houston, the investigation into the case falls under the jurisdiction of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO).

According to HCSO, the suspects handed a threatening note to a bank teller. Although they were suspected of being armed, they did not brandish a weapon, managing to abscond with an undisclosed sum of money.

Following the release of the surveillance images, HCSO received tips from the public, leading to the identification of two of the suspects by their parents. The third suspect was identified by law enforcement authorities following an altercation. Additionally, authorities recovered a weapon and a distinctive item featured in one of the surveillance photos.

The “little rascals” are facing charges of robbery by threat, classified as a second-degree felony.

Schneider speculated, “I was thinking either this was very low in sophistication or maybe an adult had something to do with this. That is not uncommon. Because kids have a punishment that is less severe, it is not uncommon for adult offenders to get them to commit crimes.”

Investigators have refrained from disclosing whether any other individuals are involved or if any of the stolen cash has been retrieved.

Given that they are minors, has obscured the original photos, and the FBI stated that their names and further details will not be disclosed.

If the allegations are substantiated, they could potentially face probation until the age of 18 or confinement in juvenile detention until the age of 19, as suggested by a criminal defense attorney. Additionally, there is a slim likelihood of the 16-year-old being tried as an adult, the attorney noted.