Police squeeze suspects for name of friend who swiped cash from lemonade stand

PONTIAC, Mich. (WXYZ) - The teenager believed to have swiped the cash from a lemonade stand is still on the loose, but Pontiac Police have identified his two friends who were at the scene.

17-year-old Johntae Washington is charged with assault and battery for hitting the mother of one of the young victims in the face when she chased after them following the robbery.

19-year-old Bario Johnson is charged with possession of marijuana after police found him with a joint behind his ear when he was detained.

Police say Washington and Johnson actually paid for their drinks, but their friend opened up the jewelry box where the cash was kept and took the money. He got away with about 40 dollars.

"They are grown men attacking people who can't protect themselves," Pontiac Police Chief Val Gross told Action News today. He says the girls, who range in age from six to nine, "... shouldn't have to be worried about someone robbing them at a lemonade stand, that's just ridiculous."

One of the young victims, Serena Inglsbee, told Action News on Tuesday, "The guy looked in the jewelry box to see how much money we raised... and grabbed the jewelry box with all the money in it took off down the road."

The two teens who were arrested have given police the name of their friend who took the money. Investigators are working on a photo line-up to see if the girls can identify him. Police hope he'll be charged with strong-armed robbery, which is a felony, once he is caught.