What a Heel--Teen Snatches Shoe Away, Scuffles With Other Youth After Taking Money in Footwear Sale: Cops

A teenage thief posing as a freelance shoe salesman ripped off a customer he hooked through Facebook but got caught after his mark identified him through a school yearbook photo, police said.

The 16-year-old was charged with robbery and battery in connection with his alleged 9 p.m. Sunday caper.

The teen was impersonating another young person on Facebook when he made contact with his victim and brokered a deal to sell him some shoes, police said. The teen and his alleged victim, another 16-year-old, then agreed to meet Sunday night at the McDonald’s on Route 59 near Caton Farm Road.

The teen handed over the shoes and took the other youth’s cash, police said, but then tried to snatch the footwear back.

The teen only managed to grab one of the shoes and took off running with it, police said. The other young man gave chase and tackled the thief, but the crook reportedly punched and kicked him before breaking free.

The thief reportedly jumped in a car and escaped. Police described the getaway driver only as a “male Hispanic” and provided no other details on his appearance.

A passerby allowed the beaten teen to get in his car and they followed the fleeing vehicle. They eventually gave up the chase but the teen was able to identify his assailant through a yearbook photo from a school they both attended, police said.

Officers reportedly took the crook into custody at his Elizabeth Street home and transported him to River Valley Juvenile Detention Center.

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