Police: 3 Teens Planned To Rob Drug Dealer With Stolen Rifle

A trio of teens from Cleveland were foiled and then arrested when they planned to rob a drug dealer with a stolen rifle, Mentor Police Lt. Tim Allen said.

The teens -- Reginald Wilkins, Charles Claybrooks and Cameron Reid -- were driving through Mentor Tuesday when a police officer pulled them over for not having the proper stickers on their license plate, Allen said.

When the officer approached the car, he saw Claybrooks trying to hide an unloaded .22 bolt-action Marlin rifle by his feet in the back seat, Allen said.

On questioning, they admitted the gun was probably stolen. They claimed to have gotten it from Reid's brother, Allen said.

The police checked and the gun was reported stolen in Akron.

Police also found an airsoft gun -- with the cap removed to make it look more realistic -- and a bag of marijuana in the car, Allen said.

Upon further questioning, one of the teen's told police they had gone to Painesville to rob a drug dealer, Allen said. However, after waiting four hours, the person did not show up at their home so they left.

They were returning home when the officers pulled them over.

All three men were charged with receiving stolen property and improper transportation of a firearm. Reid was also charged with marijuana possession.

Judge John Trebets arraigned them Wednesday morning in Mentor Municipal Court. He set all of their bonds at $10,000, which was not posted. Their next court hearing is scheduled for Dec. 6.

Wilkins is 18 years old. Reid and Claybrooks are 19.