Wee robber facing time out?

Staff

Published Friday, January 30, 2004

Suffolk News-Herald

Apparently playing cops and robbers isn't exciting enough anymore.

An 8-year-old Suffolk boy took kid's play to a new level on Wednesday when he attempted to pull off a strong-armed robbery in downtown Suffolk.

Sarah Jennings Chipman, 30, a secretary at Cross Management in the 400 block of Market Street, told authorities that the little boy approached her in broad daylight and demanded her purse.

"He walked up to her with his hands in his pockets (pretending it was weapon) around 2:41 p.m., telling her to give him her purse," said Police Lt. Debbie J. George, spokeswoman for the Suffolk Police Department. "His speech was punctuated with a curse, and she yelled back at him and he ran."

The child ran to his home in the nearby neighborhood and was in front of the home when police pulled up, she said. They were able to find him because Chipman had followed him home.

The child was released to his parents, George said.

Charges may be pending and he could stand trial, she said. The matter has been referred Commonwealth's Attorney office to determine how to proceed, George said.

"I can't remember a child this young robbing or even attempting to rob someone," said George.

---

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?

---