FORT MYERS, Fla. — Police say two Fort Myers teens robbed a person at gunpoint at a gas station on June 7.

Fort Myers Police responded to an armed robbery at the Marathon gas station on Fowler Street around 8:14 p.m., where someone met the two 16-year-olds, Rahmasy Armstrong and Al’Mirian Thomas, to sell them a phone.

When the person presented the phone, one of the teens started to hand over counterfeit 100-dollar bills before grabbing the phone, while the other teen held the victim at gunpoint, according to the Fort Myers Police Department (FMPD).

Authorities say the teens then ran off to a home on Cocos Avenue.

FMPD Officer Kristin Capuzzi said the victim wasn’t going to let the boys get away with it so he took off after them. 

Capuzzi said the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) got involved in the chase. They used their helicopter to help track the thieves to a nearby home on Coco Avenue where they were arrested.

“Unfortunately this one did turn south, turned into a robbery. They displayed some counterfeit 100 dollar bills, they snatched the phone out of the gentleman’s hand — took off running during this, did point a firearm at our victim as well,” Capuzzi said.

After investigating, police found enough evidence to charge Armstrong with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and Thomas with robbery by sudden snatching and passing counterfeited bank bills.

Both teens are in the Lee County Jail.

Kleverson Lopez works at a store near the gas station.

“It wasn’t right what these two little kids did, they should pay consequences and think about their actions. These two boys need to know more about Jesus,” he said.

Dheoeois Wilbert also frequents the area.

“They should pay the price, but sometimes it’s not them — it’s the parent,” Wilbert said.

Capuzzi said you don’t always hear about these types of scams, but they are very common. FMPD has set up a safe place right outside their station where you can make sales with strangers. It’s called an e-commerce zone and is monitored by security cameras 24/7. 

“There are definitely scams everywhere these days, you have to be very cautious — especially giving a home address, we would not recommend doing a transaction at a home address,” Capuzzi said. “We’re here for you, we have this here so you can feel safe. You just have to be very cautious. If you ever do feel a little uneasy than usually go with your gut feeling.”

During their business hours you can also make sales inside the police department’s lobby.

“I would totally do that thank you police officers go blue!” Matt Oberski said.

Capuzzi said most police departments have e-commerce zones so if you don’t live in Fort Myers and need to sell or buy something from a stranger you can visit your nearest police station. And even if they don’t have one, police stations always have extra security.