Teen armed robbery suspects worked for Mass. city

(CBS) LAWRENCE, Mass. - Police in the northeast Massachusetts city of Lawrence have arrested three teens for armed robbery, who were working for the city in a program designed to support at-risk youth.

The city told CBS Boston the suspects who tried to rob a convenience store were being paid for part-time work in the public works department, with funds from a federal anti-crime grant.

Police say Michael Alicea, 19, Richard Mora, 18, and Ruben Saldana, 18, tried to shoot their way out of the store on Friday nigth, Jan. 18, after barricading themselves inside, according to CBS Boston.

The station says the armed masked men wound up locked inside the South Union Market after the store's owner hit the alarm and, along with his wife, ran out of the building.

The trio of suspects was captured by the cops as they exited the back door.

Police are still looking for a suspected getaway driver.

The teens reportedly are also suspects in six other recent armed robberies.