3 arrested in machete-armed robberies

RIVERTON (WNE) — Three teens are in custody after a series of robberies early Wednesday morning, at least one of which included a suspect armed with a machete. 

Maverik store director Deb Stracke said a single perpetrator entered the store at 3:51 a.m. Wednesday armed with a machete. There were three people at work at the Main Street gas station at the time, she said, and no one was injured. 

The suspect walked into the kitchen in the back of the Maverik store, where he encountered an employee; the two walked back up to the front and the armed suspect grabbed cash quickly, then left, Stracke reported. 

The Riverton Police Department was called in at 4 a.m. to the scene. 

According to an RPD statement, while officers were at the Maverik, dispatch received a hold-up alarm and another call reporting a second robbery at the Loaf N Jug on North Federal Boulevard. 

Additional officers were immediately dispatched to the second location, and while on that scene, received a third call reporting another attempted robbery at the Pit Stop Travel Center on South Federal Boulevard. 

The RPD reported several hours later that three teenaged boys, ages 14 and 15, were in custody for aggravated robbery and conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery. Because they are juveniles, their names and details of the charges remain confidential.

This story was published on June 28, 2025.