POMPANO BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) — A South Florida student is reeling after, he said, three crooks ambushed him and took his cellphone while walking to his aunt’s house from school, Friday afternoon.
According to 12-year-old victim, he and his 15-year-old cousin were heading to their aunt’s house from Crystal Lake Middle School in Pompano Beach.
At around 4 p.m., the boy said, he spotted three male teens staring at him as he continued to walk at a short distance from his female cousin. "One of them was just looking at me very strangely, and I got suspicious about it," he said.
All of a sudden, in the area of Northeast 29th Street and Third Avenue, the victim said the trio made their move. "I was at this tree, and then one of them grabs me and says to the other, ‘Grab his phone,’" he said.
The victim said one of them covered his mouth while the other grabbed his iPhone. "My dad had just bought the phone two months ago," he said. I didn’t want to let it go."
The middle school student was then able to alert his cousin. "I start screaming at my cousin, ‘They have my phone! Those men have my phone!’" he said.
His fast-thinking cousin was able to snap two pictures showing three teens who, she believes, were the subjects who attacked the victim as they ran away.
Now, the student hopes his cousin’s photos will help police catch those who attacked him. "Well, you know, I’m just scared that it might happen again," said the victim, his voice shaking as he fought back tears.
Although he wasn’t hurt, the student said he is still afraid. "Please don’t bother my family. Please, just leave us alone," he said.
If you have any information on the subjects’ whereabouts, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.