Mt. Pleasant boy, 15, charged as adult in armed robbery

A 15-year-old Mt. Pleasant Township boy is charged as an adult in an armed robbery this month outside his home, according to court papers.

Kyle Ray Franklin was arrested Tuesday and is being held on $50,000 bail. He is the second juvenile suspect to be nabbed in the Dec. 19 robbery that netted clothing, shoes and $300 from one man and a cellphone from a second man, according to court papers.

State police were called to Maruca Drive at 12:30 a.m. to investigate the report. One of the men told police Elijah Ben Chaabane, 17, of North Huntingdon contacted him through smartphone app SnapChat and requested a ride there from North Huntingdon in exchange for $40.

The men reported Franklin and his brother, Jake Daniel Franklin, 17, joined Chaabane outside the home once they arrived. Police said Chaabane pointed a gun at the men and demanded the items while the Franklins pulled at one man’s clothing, according to court papers.

The suspects fled inside but came out when police used a public address system at 1:15 a.m. Troopers said they found the missing clothing and cellphone in the Franklins’ bedroom, along with prescription medication, brass knuckles and other items, according to court papers.

Police said they found a pistol hidden in a cat’s litter box. Kyle Franklin told investigators he knows Chaabane through his brother.

Chaabane and both Franklins are charged as adults with robbery and related offenses. Chaabane is charged with unlawful possession of the firearm, and his bail was set at $100,000 after his Dec. 23 arrest. He and Kyle Franklin are being held at the Regional Youth Services Center in Hempfield.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Jake Franklin.

Kyle Franklin did not have an attorney listed in online court records. His preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 13. Chaabane has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Jan. 6.

None of the suspects has an adult criminal history in Pennsylvania, according to online court records.