Teen Robbers Pistol-Whipped Clerk, Police Say

A pair of New Jersey teenagers are being charged as adults in a violent holdup at a Wilson convenience store.

Wilson police say Dionte Powell and Tahir Sutton, both 17 and from Phillipsburg, held up the Square One Exxon at 15th and Northampton streets on March 11, tying up two female clerks and hitting one of them with a handgun.

They are charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, receiving stolen property, theft, simple assault, terroristic threats, possession of instruments of crime and reckless endangerment.

Police say Powell and Sutton came to the store wearing masks and gloves. Sutton allegedly jumped over the counter and made the cashier open the register at gunpoint before tying her up.

Powell, meanwhile, chased down another worker, hit her with a handgun and tied her up, police say. He allegedly put his gun to the backs of both women's heads and threatened to kill them.

Police say the two boys stole just under $400 in money and cigarettes.

In a news release, police say investigators were able to link Sutton and Powell to the crime through clothing found at Powell's home.

Both boys are in Morris County's Juvenile Detention Center on unrelated charges.