Two boys aged 12 and 13 caught on CCTV trying to rob bank with toy guns

Two boys, aged 12 and 13, have appeared in court accused of trying to rob a bank using toy guns. The youngsters fled empty handed after apparently losing their nerve, according to police in Israel.

The lads, wearing hooded tops, were thought to have been captured on CCTV entering the bank in Rishon Lezion, a suburb of Tel Aviv.

One appeared to have a rucksack on his back and was carrying what was thought to be a rifle.

Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said both suspects were carrying fake M-16 assault rifles.

He added they shouted "this is a hold-up". "They were toy guns but they looked real," Mr Rosenfeld. "The people in the bank were scared, but then the suspects ran out without taking any money."

He added cops were able to identify the children from the security footage and later arrested them. However, the boys' lawyer Gil Gabay said: "We are talking about children aged 12 and 13 who were arrested last night. "They were investigated during the night against legal instructions. "They slept on a chair in the police station. "I think they should have been treated differently.
"I don't think they should have been treated like criminals."