Two teens arrested in connection with vape store armed robbery

Vancouver police arrested two teenage boys Wednesday in connection with an armed robbery at an east Vancouver smoke shop.

Officers responded Sunday to reports of a robbery at The Planet Smoke and Vape Shop, 14201 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd. Four people reportedly entered the store, made threats of a gun and stole a large amount of product, according to a police news release.

With the help of tipsters, investigators identified a 15-year-old boy and 16-year-old boy, both from Vancouver, as two of the suspects, the police department said.

On Wednesday, detectives with the Neighborhood Response Team and patrol officers spotted the teens near Ogden Elementary School, 3200 N.E. 86th Ave. When detectives approached, one of the boys ran away. Officers caught him a short distance away, according to the news release.

Detectives recovered a Ruger handgun, with the help of the Vancouver Fire Department, that the teen threw onto the roof of the school before he was arrested. Investigators also recovered some of the stolen products, the police department said.

Both boys were booked into the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center on suspicion of first-degree robbery, and officers also referred a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm against the one teen.

The police department said it has seen an increase in robberies, shootings and other crimes involving teens with guns.