Officer James Roberts
For Modesto Police Department Officer James Roberts, it was just another day at work.
His actions were prompted by an urgent phone call about a reported robbery at a Walmart near him. He was going in with full force, not knowing what he was up against.
Unexpected Suspects
When he finally caught up with the two suspects, his tires screeched. He had not expected them to be so different. Despite his orders, they immediately ran off.
In an attempt to apprehend the suspects, Officer Roberts immediately fled on foot. Both the robbery and evading arrest were going to cost them dearly.
Roger And Rachel
Roger had just left his local Walmart store with his sister Rachel. Before walking home, they looked at their goods outside the store.
They had no idea that their pleasant day would turn into a nightmare that would leave them traumatized for the rest of their lives.
Saturday Mornings
The siblings looked forward to Saturday mornings. Having worked all week at school, it was finally time to relax and unwind.
Since their mother was in bed with a bad cold on this particular day, they knew they would have to run errands for her.
Running Errands
Roger didn’t seem to mind. Despite the fact that he was only 10 years old, he considered himself a big boy and actually enjoyed going shopping with his mom.
Having such a responsibility put on his little shoulders and having his mother trust him to handle it made him feel proud. Roger was not allowed to go alone, so Rachel tagged along.
Shopping List
With strict instructions, she had written a note and given her credit card to them. Rachel and Roger’s mother, Belinda, knew they were trustworthy. She had used their service before for small errands, and they had always been very careful with her credit card.
As a young boy, Roger had developed into a smart and responsible individual. They were a reliable source of support for Belinda.
Belinda Trusted Them
They walked a few blocks from their house to the Walmart store. While watching them walk hand in hand on the sidewalk, Belinda waved goodbye from the window.
There were good neighbors in their neighborhood who would always watch out for each other’s children, and it was relatively safe. There was no way Belinda could have predicted how bad her day was about to get.
Turn For The Worst
Their mother had requested that they go shopping for some small items at Walmart. Once Roger and Rachel arrived safely, they began shopping.
After picking up a few items, they headed to the cashier to pay for them. In the end, however, things didn’t turn out quite the way the siblings had hoped.
Distracted A Bit
Rachel was admiring dolls and playthings along the toy aisle while Roger was at the till. Keeping an eye on the cashier, she wondered whether Roger had paid.
Her next move would be to leave the toy aisle. As much time as she had, she wanted to memorize the items she desired for her birthday. However, the siblings were unaware that they were being watched very closely.
Returning Home
After Roger had paid for the items they had purchased, Rachel was so focused on one doll that she hadn’t heard him call out to her.
“I’m coming, Roger!” she shouted through the store. After getting up, they left the store. After checking if they had everything, the siblings returned home.
Watched
But not all was well. They were not aware that they were being watched by a few people. Roger held his sister’s hand as they walked through the streets of their neighborhood.
But before they were just a few blocks away from their house, a police officer yelled at them. “Hey, you two kids, hold it right there, don’t move!” But Roger panicked and pulled his sister with him as they made a run for it.
Running
They ran as fast as their little legs could carry them, but they were no match for the police officer that was chasing them. They had just turned a corner, and then he was right there in front of them.
“Stop running!” he shouted at them. Roger and Rachel stood like two deers caught in headlights. They felt like they were in trouble for something, but they just didn’t know what it was.
Scared
Officer Roberts gave them a stern look. “I want to know why the two of you started running,” he said to them.
By this time, Roger and his sister were shivering with fear, but Roger, ever the brave big brother, wanted to speak up. “We were scared. We didn’t know why you told us to stop,” Roger said, holding back tears.
Tell The Truth
“Do you know why I stopped the two of you? Were you just at that Walmart store?” Officer Roberts asked them. Roger, trying to conceal the look of guilt on his face, was thinking of a way to get out of the situation.
But he remembered his parents’ advice. When a police officer talks to you, always be polite and tell the truth, no matter what. So that’s what Roger decided to do.
Reported
“Um, yes, Officer, Sir. We were just at Walmart. Our Mom is sick and…” But before Roger could say anything further, Officer Roberts interrupted him.
“Well, the manager at the store had reported the two of you to the police for stealing. Now both of you turn around and put your hands behind your backs.”
We Didn’t Do It
But Roger wanted to get a word in before the police officer cuffed them. “But, Sir, we didn’t do anything wrong. I’m only 10 years old, and my sister here is 8 years old. We didn’t do anything,” Roger pleaded.
But his pleas fell on deaf ears. Officer Roberts had to do his job. Besides, the two children fit the profile. A young boy and girl walking north towards Oak Street carrying a shopping bag with stolen goods inside. He was just following the orders of his superiors.
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