Cape 13-year-old charged with robbery with a firearm
A 13-year-old Cape Coral boy has been charged with robbery with a firearm after police say he displayed a handgun and took a scooter from another child.
Cape Coral Police responded to a reported robbery near a residence in the northeast Cape on Tuesday after receiving a call concerning the theft of an electric scooter at gunpoint.
A child under the age of 12 was playing outside with their scooter when the 13-year-old approached them and asked to try out the scooter, police said. After the child denied the request, the older youth allegedly displayed a black handgun tucked into his waistband. Fearing for their safety, the victim allowed the boy to ride the scooter. The 13-year-old then fled the scene with the scooter, valued at $400, police said.
After watching Ring camera footage, an officer identified the suspect from prior interactions. Officers went to the 13-year-old’s home and spoke with his guardian, who confirmed the boy had run away hours earlier.
While officers were talking to the guardian, a second call was made to the police regarding the youth, who was allegedly seen threatening another child at Burton Park. He was “detained by multiple concerned fathers, and a loaded handgun was found in his waistband, matching the handgun described by the first child,” police said.
Officers quickly arrived and Violent Crimes Unit detectives determined that the youth was involved in two different scenes involving a firearm, police said.
The youth was arrested, taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center, and charged with the following:
-1 count robbery with a firearm, a felony of the first degree
-2 counts minor in possession of a firearm
-2 counts improper exhibition of a firearm
-1 count aggravated assault