Some crimes just leave your shaking your head in utter disbelief. This is one of them. According to a news release from the Boston Police Department, on Wednesday, June 10, two enterprising children were running a lemonade stand "in the area of West Ninth Street." Per the New York Post, they were "an 11-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy." At about 4:44 p.m., police were summoned to the scene for an armed robbery.
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The youngsters reportedly stated that the alleged culprits, believed to be juveniles, seemed to be hanging around for a while before asking them if they would accept Apple Pay. The kids did not even have a chance to answer them. The suspects reportedly grabbed their money box. One displayed "a black firearm in his waistband." They then quickly left with the children's proceeds totaling $50. According to the Post, their dad called 911 to report the theft.
Several surveillance camera photos are in the news release. The robbers are clearly visible.
The Incident Left the Kids and Their Parents Extremely Upset
According to NBC10 Boston, the children's mom said, "My daughter called me, I'm at work. She was in hysterics, crying, saying, 'Somebody put a gun to us and took all of our money. They noticed two kids with masks over their face across the street they kept coming back and forth."
She added, "My daughter said when they said 'We're taking it all' she put her arms up in the air and said, 'Just take it. Just take it.'"
The mom also mentioned her son. "My son is 12. He said one was smaller, he'd guess 10 or 11, and the other child looked a little older, maybe 14."
Very understandably and sadly, the kids are distressed by what happened. Their mother said, "My daughter, the youngest one, she's nervous to walk the two blocks to her bus stop,"
The kids' dad said to WCVB, "Boston Police have been doing a great job. They're definitely on it. They're trying to see whatever surveillance and just trying to take the next steps in order to catch the two individuals that were involved with this."
One Boston Leader Is Deeply Troubled by the Unfortunate Situation
Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn reacted to the crime on
Facebook the day it occurred. He is concerned about the apparent cruelty and brazenness of this alleged act. Flynn also lamented its impact on the neighborhood.He wrote in part, "There is little I can think of more disturbing than the innocence of a children's lemonade stand being violated by an armed robbery. The thoughts of our entire community are with the young children and the families who had to endure this terrible and senseless ordeal."
Furthermore, Flynn added, "When something as serious as this happens, we cannot downplay or ignore it. As a City, we have to finally acknowledge we have serious public safety issues in Boston. We desperately need more police officers and to redouble our community policing efforts. There is simply no one that envisions a place where a children's lemonade stand is robbed at gunpoint as the safest city in America."
