UMVA has learned that a shocking armed robbery targeting a children's lemonade stand in South Boston has led to the arrest of a 14-year-old suspect, authorities announced on Friday.
The brazen crime occurred on Wednesday afternoon near West Ninth Street, when two suspects allegedly approached two young children operating the stand, snatched their cash box, and displayed a firearm in a terrifying display of violence.
The arrested suspect is facing serious charges, including two counts of armed robbery and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, officials said. The second suspect remains at large, leaving many to wonder how such a young perpetrator was involved in such a heinous crime.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the suspects targeted a lemonade stand run by an 11-year-old girl and her 12-year-old brother, making several passes by the stand before approaching the children and asking if they accepted Apple Pay.
In a chilling turn of events, the suspects allegedly grabbed the cash box, with one suspect flashing a black firearm tucked into his waistband, and made off with about $50. The Boston Police Department released surveillance video and photos of the suspects on Thursday, which led to the 14-year-old's arrest on Friday.
The police video showed the suspects wearing black face coverings, with one carrying a black backpack and a pink box believed to contain the stolen cash. Officials confirmed that the teen will be processed as a juvenile delinquent and is expected to appear in Boston Juvenile Court on delinquency charges.
The Boston Police Department is actively reviewing the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident and is urging anyone with information about the second suspect to come forward. The community is left shaken by the incident, and many are breathing a sigh of relief that the suspect is now in custody.
