Cindy Pitts, Staff Writer

Three teens have been charged with holding up a woman on Fair Street around mid-day on Friday.

The three males allegedly went up on the porch of a Fair Street home, pointed a gun at a couple of women and demanded money, according to Police Chief Jackie Swindler.

The women, who had been counting money to pay their bills, began to scream, and one ran from the area. The cries of the women drew attention, and the suspects ran from the scene without taking any of the money.

Officers from the police department and Sheriff's Office used descriptions provided by witnesses to spot the suspects near Pope Street and Kendall Road. Within minutes of the 11:40 a.m. holdup, the teens were in custody.

Swindler said officers also found some prescription pills on the juveniles but believe the drugs were prescribed to one of the males.

Adonis Martell Johnson, 17, of Pomaria, was arrested and charged with attempted armed robbery, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, unlawful possession of a pistol by a person under the age of 21 and criminal conspiracy.

Arsenio Bobby Epps, 18, of Newberry, and a 15-year-old Prosperity male were arrested and charged with attempted armed robbery and criminal conspiracy.

Swindler says officers are still weighing factors to decide if the 15-year-old will be charged as a juvenile or an adult. The teen is scheduled to appear in Family Court on Thursday and a decision could be made at that time. The 15-year-old is being held in Columbia at the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Swindler said one of the teens brought the pistol from his home. He adds police believe the three teens had come to Newberry with the intent of robbing someone.