LOUISA COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) – Two teens, who detectives said bragged about wanting to start a gang in Louisa, were convicted on robbery and assault charges Friday.
Louisa Commonwealth’s Attorney Rusty McGuire said 16-year-old Kyle McKeown, formerly of Greensboro, NC, and 16-year-old Melik Perkins, of Louisa, were convicted on two counts of attempted armed robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, malicious wounding and assault and battery.
McGuire said both teens faced adult charges and that a Louisa jury convicted McKeown Thursday night. As a result, McGuire said Perkins changed his plea to guilty Friday morning after hearing about McKeown’s conviction.
Authorities said the pair purchased bandannas, obtained hand guns and planned to target a small group of people in Louisa County. Detectives said McKeown and Perkins spotted three teens hanging out in a parking lot around 10:30 p.m. on April 9.
McGure said both teens, who were armed with hand guns, jumped out of their vehicle wearing bandannas, black hoodies. They demanded money, but before the victims could comply, McKeown “cold cocked” the first victim, who was knocked unconscious.
But when McKeown tried to do the same thing with the second victim, the teen fought back and eventually gained the advantage. Perkins, who also had a handgun, ordered the victim to let the assailant go.
Detectives apprehended the suspects the next day after receiving a tip and also recovered the two guns.
Detectives said during an interview, McKowen bragged about running with a criminal street gang in Greensboro, North Carolina and indicated that he and Melik wanted to form their own gang in Louisa.
The teens face up to 51 years behind bars when sentenced on Jan. 7, 2013.
