Teens charged as adults in robbery spree | Crime

Two Paragould teens arrested in connection with a string of armed robberies will be tried as adults.

On Friday 16-year-old Austin Betts and 17-year-old Jonathan Roy Lindsey were charged with aggravated robbery, a Class Y felony.

According to court documents, a man armed with a knife robbed the Quick Time Quick Stop, 613 West Nettleton Avenue in Jonesboro, around 9:30 Tuesday night.  A short time later a man matching the description attempted to rob the clerk at the Kum & Go at 801 N. Holman St. in Brookland.

After comparing store surveillance video, police determined the same suspect was responsible for both crimes.  According to investigators, a blue extended cab Dodge Dakota pickup truck was captured on video at both stores.  It was also reportedly seen at Lorado Grocery, which was burglarized that same night.

Using a statewide police database, deputies reportedly tracked the truck to 18-year-old Tyler Chronister.  On Wednesday, police officers arrested Chronister at his Jonesboro workplace.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Chronister admitted driving Lindsey and Betts to the stores; but, he said Lindsey was the one who went inside.

While Chronister was being questioned in Jonesboro, Greene County sheriff’s deputies went to Greene County Tech and arrested Lindsey and Betts.

In a recorded statement with their parents present, Betts and Lindsey reportedly confessed to the robberies.  They claimed they divided the money from the Jonesboro robbery; but, they said the clerk at the Brookland store refused to give Lindsey anything.

Investigators reportedly recovered $800 in cash from Betts and Lindsey, and $340 from Chronister.