18-Year-Old Arrested for Robbing Child

Theft is taken seriously in Florida. Even when a teen is convicted of an offense, they can face serious criminal charges.

An 11-year-old child was recently robbed by an 18-year-old man. The child was raising money for school at the time. The incident happened in the downtown area of Lake Wales on April 25.

The child was selling chocolate when a stranger approached him. The boy told the stranger that he had collected $107. That was when the 18-year-old snatched the money from the child and fled the scene on an electric scooter. While doing so, he ran over the child’s foot.

Police were called and detectives from the Lake Wales Police Department stopped by local businesses looking for surveillance footage. They spoke with staff at The Ranch Taproom and Coffeehouse and two employees at the business were so moved by the incident that they personally replaced the stolen money. Police called it an “extraordinary act of kindness.” It was a selfless move that brought comfort and tears of joy to the victim.

The suspect was located and arrested. He was identified as an 18-year-old man from Davenport. He had a loaded handgun when he was arrested and admitted to having it in his possession during the robbery. He faces multiple charges, including robbery by sudden snatching while in possession of a firearm and carrying a concealed weapon. He was also charged with violation of probation, as he was on probation at the time of the incident for a previous theft offense.

 Robbery by Sudden Snatching

Robbery by sudden snatching is a specific theft crime under Florida law, outlined in Florida Statutes § 812.131. It differs from traditional robbery in that it involves a rapid, surprise taking of property directly from a person. It does not necessarily have to have any force beyond the snatching motion.

Robbery by sudden snatching occurs when a person takes money or property from a victim. They must take the property directly from the victim’s person and the victim must be aware of the theft as it is happening. Unlike standard robbery, force or violence does not need to be used.

Robbery by sudden snatching is a third-degree felony if no weapon was used and no injuries occurred. It is punishable by five years in prison, five years of probation, and a fine of up to $5,000. It is a second-degree felony if the defendant was carrying a weapon during the crime. The penalties include up to 15 years in prison, up to 15 years of probation, and a fine of up to $10,000.

Contact Us Today 

Theft is a serious offense, even when the victim is a child. You need to understand the charges and potential consequences against you.

If you have been accused of theft, you need help from a theft attorney from Hollander & Hanuka. We are here to help you navigate the legal system and defend your rights. Our knowledgeable team is able to provide effective defense and legal strategies to help you obtain a positive outcome. To schedule a consultation with our office, call (239) 332-3300.

Source:

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