13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |Teens charged in convenience store murder, robbery

Teens charged in convenience store murder, robbery

Steve Jefferson/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - The two 19-year-olds arrested in the deadly convenience store robbery went to court Wednesday. Prosecutors released the probable cause, naming the teen who shot and killed clerk Becky Hough.

The probable cause on Shawn Heyob and Bruce Aldrich lays out who reportedly shot and killed 62-year-old store clerk Becky Hough early Saturday morning. It happened at the Village Pantry at 1402 South Meridian Street.

"The police department and the community working together knocked this case down in very quick order," said IMPD Chief Michael Spears.

In the probable cause, a witness told police he "saw two males running from the store...They were each carrying a bag containing cigarettes." After chasing the suspects briefly - and getting a good look at one of them when his hoody fell, revealing his face - that witness "returned to the VP, found Becky and called 911."

That witness eventually identified Aldrich and Heyob from a police line-up.

Because the suspects jammed the store's door open with a stick, the security cameras captured only that area. The images caught on video surveillance show two men disguised in all black.

Another witness told police that "Bruce and Shawn talked about robbing the VP and complained about not having money." Then later that witness heard Shawn Heyob say, "I can't believe I dropped the cigarettes" and Bruce Aldrich cried, saying he shot the clerk because she hit him.

"Shawn, I hope and pray to god that you didn't do this. For your grandmother's sake I hope you didn't," said Delena Pierce, Heyob's aunt.

Police wrote in the probable cause that Bruce Aldrich told them he "knew 'Miss Becky' very well because he frequented the VP.

Becky Hough even talked to Bruce's father about previous robberies.

"She had been robbed and she would tell them get whatever and leave me here," said Chuck Wood.

Police say the teenagers manipulated the security system which caused the camera to freeze on the front door and not activate any other camera in the store.

But the most shocking part of the probable cause affidavit: Officers say "Aldrich admitted he pointed the .22 handgun at Rebecca Hough, saying 'we just want the money' and when Hough turned around he fired one shot" and then began filling a bag with cartons of cigarettes.

Aldrich was charged with murder, conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery and carrying a handgun without a license. Heyob faces the same charges except the handgun charge.

Both teens have criminal records and are currently in the Marion County Jail.

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