GLEN BURNIE, Md. (WJZ) — In Anne Arundel County, an attempted armed robbery at a Glen Burnie Wal-Mart led police to make two surprising arrests. The suspects were just 11 and 14.

Monique Griego has more on how police tracked the kids down.

The boys were arrested at the Glen Burnie Mall, a short distance away from the Wal-Mart. Police are reminding all shoppers to be alert this holiday season.

Just after 1 p.m. Sunday, Anne Arundel County Police say a 34-year-old female shopper at the Glen Burnie Wal-Mart was walking to her car when two suspects armed with a knife approached her. But what was almost more shocking than seeing the weapon was the age of the robbers: just 11 and 14 years old.

“One of them displayed a knife and demanded she drop the merchandise. She just didn’t stop for whatever reason; she just kept going on. Fortunately, she wasn’t injured. They didn’t get any property,” said Justin Mulcahy, Anne Arundel County Police.

When the woman refused to give up the goods, police say the suspects took off, running across the street and through the woods to get to the Glen Burnie Mall. Two hours later, that same woman saw the boys and called police.

“They were inside of a Toys-R-Us. Officers got there and detained them outside the Toys-R-Us and she did positively identify them as the two young males who attempted to rob her earlier,” Mulcahy said.

And police say when officers searched the suspects, they found the knife on the 11-year-old.

“That’s just nuts. I mean, you know, you wouldn’t expect a child to have a knife,” said Mary Hansen.

“It’s gotten real bad, especially when it comes to kids doing stuff like that,” said David Carbone.

Because of the holiday season, police have increased patrols around shopping centers but say shoppers need to be alert and aware of their surroundings.

“Certainly alarming when you have children this young, but again, you can’t let your guard down,” Mulcahy said.

“It’s not like it used to be. The holiday shopping’s not even fun anymore. You have to watch what’s going on around you more than you can actually shop and see what’s going on,” said Desmond Taylor.

Both of the boys are being charged as minors for armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.

The identities of the suspects aren’t being released because they are minors.

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