THE ten-year-old boy accused of snatching some money from a newspaper vendor in the vicinity of the 1763 Monument (Cuffy Square) on Tuesday, will be charged on Friday, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ivelaw Whittaker disclosed yesterday. The Guyana Police Force (GPF) spokesman, who heads the Police Public Relations Office, told the Guyana Chronicle that, following the Vlissengen Road incident, a statement was taken from the pre-teen and he was released into his mother’s custody.
Whittaker, noting that an individual ten years of age or older can be charged for a criminal offence, said the lad will appear at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.
The suspect was placed under police arrested after being pursued and apprehended by public-spirited citizens following the theft around midday on Tuesday.
The woman who sells newspapers, Ethelene Cummings reported that the boy went to her stand and stood there for sometime before she asked him what he wanted and he said change for a $500 note.
She said she facilitated the exchange but, although he remained there, she did not think anything unusual as he is just a child.
They had a conversation and it was after she put the cash from the day’s sales under some newspapers that he took the opportunity to grab it and fled.
Cummings, surprised by the act, raised an alarm and persons in the area chased and caught him a short distance away and recovered the booty in some bushes.
The well-known street seller has been vending at the location for the past 10 years and it was the first time she had such an experience.
She said the incident has left her somewhat tramautised but she will, nevertheless, continue her small business.