FORTVILLE — A teen accused of trying to rob a Fortville gas station Wednesday was found hiding inside a clothes dryer in his home by a police tracking dog, reports state.
Investigators said Cody Toney, 19, of Fortville walked into a convenience store late Wednesday and demanded money from a cashier, though he fled the store before the employee turned over any money, officers said.
Police used K9s and tips from bystanders to track the teen to his home, 426 S. Maple St. Toney’s mother answered the door and allowed officers to come inside. A police dog found the boy huddled inside a dryer, trying to hide, officials said.
During an interview, Toney admitted to having tried to rob the gas station, police said. He also told officers he’d broken into a car nearby and stolen a woman’s purse, police said.
Toney was booked into the Hancock County Jail early Thursday on preliminary charges of robbery, theft, unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle and illegal consumption of alcohol, according to jail records.
At press time, prosecutors were mulling the official criminal charges the teen would face.
Police credited sharp-eyed neighbors who reported suspicious activity with the suspect’s quick arrest.
Officers say Toney walked into the Huck’s Convenience Store, located in the 300 block of E. Broadway St. in Fortville, just before 11:30 p.m. Wednesday
According to police dispatch records, he approached the front counter and told the clerk, “Give me a couple hundred dollars out of the drawer right now — and don’t press the emergency button.”
The 19-year-old kept his hand in the pocket of his sweatshirt during the attempted robbery, leading staffers to believe he was armed with a gun, police said.
A witness told officers the suspect ran from the store toward a nearby neighborhood. Police then received several tips and 911 calls from residents who saw the teen running along Fortville streets.
Officers with the Fortville, McCordsville and Lawrence police departments canvassed the area, asking neighbors if they’d seen anything strange or spotted a teen matching Toney’s description.
A police dog tracked Toney to his home on Maple Street – about a five-minute walk from the gas station.
Toney was taken to the Fortville Police Department for questioning. He was not armed at the time of his arrest, and no gun was found, police said.
Investigators found the purse Toney said he stole inside his home, officers said.