Photo Courtesy of WSVN
A nine-year-old Florida girl has earned the respect of West Palm Beach police and the community after she molly-whopped a would-be thief that tried to steal her mama’s purse.
On November 2, Journee Nelson and her mom, Danielle Mobley, were leaving a local supermarket when Demetrius Jackson approached the woman as she loaded groceries into her SUV. He accosted the startled woman, furiously grabbing her purse and knocking her to the ground. Jackson even threatened to shoot Mobley – reaching into the waistband of his trousers if she didn’t let go of the bag.
Surveillance footage showed Journee defending Mobley by attacking the thief and hitting him in the face. Her brave attempts were in vain. Jackson threw Journee to the ground and took off with the handbag. She then chased the thief for five blocks.
The young hero spoke to WSVN about the harrowing incident, saying, “I fought back. I had to save my mom.”
For her bravery, West Palm Beach Police Chief Frank Adderly bestowed upon Journee a medal and a certificate. Also, Adderly doesn’t suggest that victims take the vigilante route.
“I wouldn’t recommend that you confront an individual like that, but in the heat of the moment, things happen. I bet he was shocked when she kicked him right in the face because he definitely could tell on the video that he was not expecting that, and her actions were perfect timing in this particular situation, and I think she hit him pretty hard,” he said.
Jackson was arrested two days later and charged with robbery and battery.