dumba$$ of the week

MEXICO, Ind. (AP) - When a masked man pointed a gun at an auto repair shop clerk threatening to kill her, she thought she recognized his voice. Police said that was likely because the man holding the handgun was the 16-year-old clerk's brother.

"He pointed the gun at her head and told her he would kill her," Miami County Sheriff Ken Roland said. "Then he pulled the trigger, but nothing was in it."

Roland said while a deputy was interviewing the girl after the Tuesday robbery at Owens Marathon Auto Repair, her brother called. The deputy told her to stay on the line as long as she could, and dispatchers traced the call's location, Roland said.

Deputies arrested three suspects, including the clerk's brother, after finding them making the call from a pay phone, Roland said.

The brother, Bryce A. Swihart, 18, along with Anthony W. Dance, 18, and a juvenile were charged with armed robbery, a Class B felony, and more charges could be filed, police said.

Roland said Swihart stole more than $200 from the auto repair shop in the village about 55 miles southwest of Fort Wayne.

Roland said the sheriff's department has had several encounters with Swihart.

"This boy has had problems in the past," he said. "He's been a problem since he was a juvenile."