Police in Phoenix say they've arrested a woman accused of leading an armed robbery gang involving her 12- and 14-year-old sons.
Police say 51-year-old Cynthia White Roberson coached some of the four boys and three men who were charged with her. The suspects are accused of at least 20 armed robberies in Phoenix and Glendale since late April.
Police say Roberson lost her job six weeks ago and guilted her sons and some of the others into committing the robberies to pay for rent and a car loan.
Many of the robbery victims were also youngsters and were physically assaulted.
One 13-year-old victim was beaten up and forced to empty his pockets — which contained only an orange lollipop.
