Police: 10-year-old boy helps pull off crime spree

PORTLAND (WHDH) -- Police are investigating a pair of robberies involving a suspect so young that event hey seemed stunned by the allegations.

“It’s heart breaking to hear about a 10 year old being involved in this and what’s happened to get them there,” said Sgt. Pete Simpson.

Simpson said the first robbery happened at 3 p.m. Friday at the Pepper Box Food Cart. The owner said the adult suspect walked in, acted like he was going to shake his hand and then bear hugged him and told him not to move.

While he was restrained he said the child ran in, grabbed an undisclosed amount of money, and then the suspects took off.

Police said the following evening the man and child pulled a similar stunt.

“Almost the same identical method -- they threatened the clerk and then the kid grabbed the money and then they ran off,” said Simpson.

Simpson said the second robbery happened around 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

“It’s horrible when they involve a child like that,” said Michael Ring, who works nearby.

Ring said the crime is concerning especially because police said it involved a child.

“It makes you incredibly angry, but also there’s the flip side of, how desperate is somebody? Either how crazy are they or how desperate are they?” said Ring.

Police are still trying to identify the man and child.