Teens convicted in Louisa

BY PORTSIA SMITH

Two 16-year-olds who wanted to start a street gang in Louisa County face up to 51 years in prison after being convicted as adults on several felony charges.

Kyle McKeown, formerly of Greensboro, N.C., and  Melik Perkins of Mineral were both convicted of  two counts of attempted armed robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, malicious wounding and assault and battery. McKeown was convicted by a jury Thursday night and Perkins changed his plea to guilty Friday morning.

Around 10:30 p.m. on April 9, the two teens sat in the parking lot of Glen Marye Shopping Center in the town of Louisa waiting to “target” a small group of people, said Louisa Commonwealth’s Attorney Rusty McGuire. They had purchased bandanas and obtained handguns earlier that day, McGuire said.

The two victims, ages 18 and 20 at the time, told police they were standing in the parking lot when a gray GM pickup with chrome wheels pulled up. The victims told police that two males armed with handguns and wearing black bandanas got out of the truck and demanded money.

Before the victims could comply, McGuire said McKeown “cold-cocked” one  with a gun, knocking him unconscious and giving him a  concussion and a hairline fracture of the jaw.

McGuire said the second victim was also hit in the face with a gun, but he fought back and gained the upper hand until Perkins, armed with a handgun, told him to let McKeown go.

No money or property was stolen and both gunmen fled in the truck, police said.

The next day, Sheriff’s Maj. Donnie Lowe spotted a truck matching the description of the one in the parking lot. Detectives questioned the two 16-year-olds inside.

McKeown and Perkins were detained on April 12 and sent to the Rappahannock Juvenile Detention Center on charges of malicious wounding, attempted armed robbery, brandishing a firearm and conspiracy to commit robbery.

Investigators recovered two pellet pistols and other evidence from the suspects’ vehicle and homes, police said

The charges were upgraded in July and both teens were charged as adults.

McGuire said that McKeown told detectives that he ran with a criminal street gang in Greensboro, and indicated that he and Melik wanted to form their own gang in Louisa.

“Our offices know it is a difficult decision to prosecute teenagers as adults, but when they make the decision to engage in gang activity we will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law,” McGuire said Friday.

Portsia Smith:  540/374-5419

psmith@fredericksburg.com

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