A late-night demand for “chips and vape” ended with three teenagers in handcuffs early Thursday after a string of robberies on Indianapolis’ east side, according to police. In one reported holdup, a suspect allegedly pointed what looked like a handgun at a convenience store clerk and asked for the snack-and-smoke combo before the group took off. Officers later tracked the teens and recovered a Glock-style replica and a backpack stuffed with stolen items from a nearby garage, wrapping up what officials called a busy night of thefts in the same neighborhood.
According to WISH‑TV, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department responded around 2 a.m. to reports from the 3000 block of East 10th Street after a store employee said three juvenile males had stolen merchandise earlier in the night. Officers, with help from a drone operator, an IMPD K‑9, an alert control operator and a nearby resident, located the teens hiding in a garage and took them into custody. Investigators told the station they found a backpack full of stolen goods and a black Glock-style pistol that turned out to be an airsoft gun.
Drone, K‑9 And Neighbors Helped Officers
IMPD has increasingly leaned on its drones and K‑9 units to track suspects without jumping into high-speed chases. Local coverage has highlighted earlier incidents where drone operators zeroed in on fleeing juveniles and helped end cases quickly, a capability department leaders have described as a tactical edge, as reported by WRTV.
What Police Recovered And How Neighbors See It
Officers say the replica firearm and stolen merchandise were collected at the scene, and the three suspects were arrested without further incident. Tanya Terry, a nearby resident quoted in local reporting, urged more oversight and guidance for local kids, saying, “we need our young people supervised, supported, and on the right path.” The department later posted about the arrests on social media and said the investigation remains active, officials told WISH‑TV.
Why Vapes Keep Getting Stolen
Disposable vapes and flavored e‑cigarettes are small, easy to hide and easy to flip for cash, which keeps them high on the list of targets in retail thefts. Federal crackdowns have underscored how big the black market has become: in a nationwide sweep, the Department of Justice reported seizing more than 2.1 million illicit vaping products last year, highlighting why corner shops stocked with these items can become tempting marks for thieves (Justice Department).
IMPD did not immediately release the suspects’ names or ages and said it will share more information as the case moves forward. Anyone with details about the incidents is asked to contact the IMPD East District or submit tips through the department’s usual channels.
