14-year-old suspect pulls gun to steal Tri-City 11-year-old’s Air Jordans
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- Two boys, 12 and 14, are accused of stripping an 11-year-old of his Air Jordans.
- Detectives located the suspects the next day, recovered the shoes, and booked them.
- Detectives used Community Care Fund money and Dick’s Sporting Goods to buy new shoes.
Two boys are accused of stripping the sneakers off an 11-year-old outside the Arlo Apartments this week.
The 11-year-old was standing outside the 10th Avenue apartment complex Monday with friends when two other boys, 12 and 14, approached them, Sgt. Joseph Pursely told the Tri-City Herald.
The 11-year-old knew the other two by reputation, but had never spent time with them. They all lived in nearby apartment complexes.
The two boys pushed the 11-year-old down and began stripping him of his Air Jordan sneakers. The older boy allegedly pulled out a gun, and both suspects handled it as they worked to get the younger boy’s shoes.
The shoes cost about $150 and $200 online, depending on the style and the seller.
The 11-year-old managed to hold onto one shoe and threw it to a friend, who ran. But one of the attackers chased down the friend, tackled him and took the shoe.
Once the suspects had both shoes, they took off.
Detectives tracked them down on Tuesday. One of them was wearing the stolen shoes.
Officers searched their homes but weren’t able to find the gun, Pursely said.
The two were booked into the Benton County Juvenile Detention Center on suspicion of first-degree robbery.
Community Care Fund
While they found the shoes, they couldn’t give them back to the victim because they were now evidence. Detectives used money from the agency’s Community Care Fund to buy a new pair of shoes for the boy, according to a Facebook post from the Kennewick Police Department
The fund is run through the Kennewick Police Department Foundation and provides money to help people impacted by crime and other difficult circumstances.
They also had help from Dick’s Sporting Goods, who immediately offered to help after learning why the detectives were shopping for the shoes.
“The Kennewick Police Department remains committed to supporting victims of crime and hopes this moment serves as a reminder that small acts of empathy and compassion can have a lasting impact in our community,”