I live in a quiet subdivision named Cripple Creek. The typical local crime involves the egging of a car, or a bag set aflame on a porch. When the occasional residential burglary occurs through an open garage door, I sit up and take notice.
The inbox was brimming this morning with three Crime Alerts over the weekend. In the early hours on Saturday morning, $1,000 damage was done by keying the finish of a Mustang parked on the street a block away from my home. More serious, though, were two alerts concerning robberies three blocks away at Cripple Creek Park.
The park is adjacent to Humann Elementary School. On Saturday, the parents of an 11 year old reported an incident the happened on the prior Monday, September 14. The victim and his 9 year old sister were riding their bike on the school playground at around 7:30 to 8:00 PM when the suspect rode up on a bike. He is white, and about 13-15 years old. His face was covered with a red bandanna, and he was wearing torn jeans, a black shirt, a black ball cap. He demanded money (they had none), then started chasing the 11 year old. The children were both scared by this.
While investigating this case, Officer Travis Amen learned of a second incident, nearly identical, which occurred at the park on Thursday evening at about the same time of day. In this robbery, two 11 year old victims were riding their bikes on the soccer field in the park when a suspect with the same description approached, and made the same demand as on Monday. The victims tried to ride away, but the suspect kicked one of the bike wheels, and then said, "You have ten %&$#@* seconds to get out your money or I'll pull out my pistol on you." The total take was one dollar. The description was basically the same, except for the hat: a red one with a white S. The bike is a BMX with pegs, predominantly black with some kind of "little green globs."
When my daughter-in-law took the grandkids down to Cripple Creek Park in the afternoon, I had her keep her eye peeled for our suspect. I'll be checking it out from time to time this week. I'm sure Officer Amen will be looking over the bike rack at the Middle School. I would really like to nab this potty-mouthed suspect.
Monday, September 21, 2009
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10 comments:
I hope you get him too. I think you will, but I also think he'll be released ROP to a disinterested parent, never serve a day in jail, and be right back to his old tricks ASAP.
I'd like to say that robbery, regardless of the offender's age, is an violent adult crime. If I had my druthers, juvie robbers would be charged, tried, and sentenced exactly as are their adult counterparts (and yes, that means being incarcerated right alongside them).
Chief,
I have not heard much of the garage robberies anymore (ones where residents leave them open). However, I remember 4-5 years ago when that was a big problem. I first want to apologize because I was no naive to not contact the Lincoln Police, but I was only a 'teenager' back then. It was a group of 'friends' that I somewhat hung out with once in a while. They would go 'Garaging' once or twice each week. I didn't know what it meant at the time, but until at one party they started boasting about how "fun" and the adrenalin it gives to them to steal other peoples' properties. By the time I knew what it was, the damage was done and they have gotten rid of the things they stole. They just stole it and then threw them away. (Teenagers!!)
I don't hang out with them anymore, but I do hear stories now and then about their fights and what not. However, I am more conscious of crimes now and try my best to report whatever I hear "on the street" now and then to the Police.
I've a friend that lives in the area, and I see him often. I'll keep my eye open for this kid too.
I'll keep my open for you too Tom, and stop and say hi if I should see you.
Chief,
That car that was keyed down on Elk Ridge; was it parked in the driveway, or on the street? You've blogged before about reducing LFA and vandalism risks by not parking in the street (when possible), so I thought I'd ask.
9:19-
Parked on the south side of the street. That's a good observation, and the advice is still good: if you can park in the driveway, the risk of vandalism or theft is significantly reduced.
The only thing that will do this potty-mouthed mugger any good is if one of these kids' dads catches the little 8&%Q#) and beats the crap out of him. I'm not suggesting that is the proper thing to do, mind you, but I agree with 6:11 that being caught by the police will probably not change a thing.
What can you buy with $1? A bullet for his pistol?!
Should the child thug be approached by an adult or just call the law? This behavior must be stopped and soon. Vandals-- never did understand them.
4:17
I'd let the police handle him, but keep an eye on him until they arrive. Never know, the kid really could have a gun and trying to nab him yourself could get someone seriously hurt.
12:35,
Highly unlikely, considering the likely loot carried by adolescent victims; an ipod or a cheap phone is about the most he could hope for, and he could boost those out of unlocked cars at little risk of being observed. Hundreds of our dimmer residents leave those in plain sight with the windows down every day, along with wallets, purses, laptops, portable GPS units, etc. For a kid that has plenty to risk a felony arrest to get next-to-nothing doesn't click from a game theory standpoint.
Vandalism, arson, or auto theft (joyride and beat the car) would be the Part 1 crimes for a "spoiled little rich kid" gone bad.
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