LAWRENCE (CBS) – A grant program aimed at cutting down on crime does not appear to be working well in Lawrence.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030′s Bernice Corpuz reports

Police arrested three teens Friday night who tried to rob a convenience store on South Union Street.

A surveillance video image from the armed robbery on Jan. 18, 2013.

The city told WBZ-TV, Michael Alicea, 19, Richard Mora, 18, and Ruben Saldana, 18, were working with the city’s public works department, thanks to that anti-crime grant.

Their job was to pick-up trash around Lawrence.

Police say they tried to shoot their way out of the store Friday after barricading themselves inside.

They were nabbed coming out the back door.

Police are still looking for a suspected getaway driver.

The teens are also suspects in six other recent armed robberies, according to the paper.