Elderly man left shaken after group of youths allegedly try to steal from him at a cafe
AN ELDERLY man has been left shaken up after being targeted by a group of youths who attempted to steal from him while at a cafe
Centralian Advocate
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A 79-YEAR-OLD man has been left shaken after allegedly being targeted by a group of youths who attempted to steal from him while at a cafe in Alice Springs.
Wicked Kneads owner Kate Freestone said some of her local customers were enjoying their daily morning coffee in the Todd Mall when a “gang of youths had run past” and knocked an elderly customer from his chair.
After investigating the incident, police claim the group of youth approached two men sitting outside the cafe when one of the group, a 13-year-old female, allegedly snatched a packet of cigarettes from the table.
The elderly man then attempted to stop the girl by grabbing her arm, which resulted in the man being pulled from his chair and onto the ground suffering abrasions to his arms and legs.
Police also allege a 50-year-old man who attempted to intervene was pushed onto a table by a 14-year-old male youth.
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Ms Freestone said there were about eight to 10 kids, aged between 12 and 14, in the group.
“They tried to steal his cigarettes from the table,” she said, echoing the police findings.
“He put his hand out to grab his cigarettes and then they’ve knocked him out of the chair and scratched his face.
“I gave chase and yelled out.
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“The police were there immediately.
“The kids shot off around the corner.”
Ms Freestone said her customer was OK, albeit scratched and “shaken up”.
Two youth have since been arrested in relation to this incident.
Police expect to charge both with one count of robbery each.
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