Girl Scout Selling Cookies Robbed at Gunpoint, Police Say

UNION CITY, CA — A 12-year-old girl selling Girl Scout cookies at a booth outside Safeway was robbed at gunpoint Wednesday, according to Union City Police. The girl's mother was with her at the time. No one was injured. The suspect has not been arrested.

According to police, a teenage boy approached the pair and asked about buying cookies, and then left. According to a written statement, "He returned a short time later, this time he displayed a handgun and took an undisclosed amount of cash from the girl’s mother. The suspect fled from the parking lot and has not been captured. The mother and daughter were not injured but understandably were visibly upset."

When word got around the police department about what had happened, officers sprang into action. "The officers donated their own money to cover the loss from the theft," police said in a written statement. "In addition, the Union City Police Officer’s Association purchased all of the girl’s remaining cartons of cookies."

The girl's mother delivered the cookies to the police department today, as see above in the photo. Sgt. Bob Kensic gave her a cash donation collected from Union City officers. Union City Police Officer Association President Sgt. Stan Rodrigues provided a check for all of the unsold boxes of cookies. In all, more than $1,000 was donated to help the girl scout.

The suspect is described as a 16-19 year-old, black male, 5’4”- 5’-6”, thin build, wearing dark clothing to include a hooded sweatshirt.

Union City Police Detectives are actively investigating this case and are asking for anyone who may have witnessed this crime to call Investigations at (510) 675-5275 or contact Det. D. Dejong at (510) 675-5227. Tip information may be left anonymously at (510) 675-5207 or at Tips@unioncity.org

-Image via Union City Police

Also See:

• 5 Lovable Valentine's Day Dessert Recipes
  
• Free Krispy Kreme Donuts Across CA: How to Score Yours
  
• Patch Picks: Top 5 Chick Flicks Of All Time