14-Year-Old Hillsborough Teen Arrested Fourth Time in 16 Months

14-Year-Old Hillsborough Teen Arrested Fourth Time in 16 Months
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On Sunday, the 14-year-old boy was taken into custody by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office. On Tampa’s Crestridge Road, deputies were called to report someone breaking into a car. The victim fled when one of them attempted to confront the person at their car, according to the agency.

According to Phil Martello, the sheriff’s office assistant chief of communications, “He ends up breaking into another car when our deputies show up to try and hide from them. “When our deputies try and get close to the suspect he flees again, he’s hopping fences.”

Air support was already present in the region for the sheriff’s office. The culprit is promptly located by them in a canal behind Crestridge Road.

After the suspect is taken into custody, officers discover he is a 14-year-old youngster they have previously apprehended.

“He’s been arrested four times in the last 16 months,” Martello stated. “There’s charges from Grand Theft and he’s in possession of a firearm while he’s doing some of these crimes. So, our team is, he’s no stranger to our team. It’s a time for reflection where it’s like, where did this child go down the wrong path? What’s going on in his personal life? What’s going on with his parents? Are they active? Are they giving him the advice, the support that he needs? This is an opportunity for all parents to talk to their kids. Who are you hanging out with? What are you doing at summer vacation?

According to Martello, the teenager was let go from police custody. How soon before he commits another crime, others would wonder.

“There is still time to turn your life around,” Martello said. “Please take advantage of any resources that you can. You know, think before you’re making these actions, you’re messing with people’s personal life, you’re messing with our community safety.”

For young offenders, Safe & Sound Hillsborough is a useful resource with programs. According to Freddy Barton, the executive director of the group, teenagers frequently believe they have no other options.

“They feel that you know what, everyone’s going to look at me a certain way. So why don’t I act that certain way,” Barton stated. “We talk to our kids, and we bring them in from the first day and say you’re more than the worst thing that you’ve ever done. Understand that you can be better today than you were yesterday.”

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The group looks at a public health approach to reducing and preventing violence. It is a partnership for violence prevention that partners with state attorneys, public defenders, major public agencies, and more.

Additionally, they serve as reporting centers, which provide adolescent offenders with an alternative to incarceration.

The program provides wraparound services to assist youth families, mentorship, and other services. We also requested Barton to message this 14-year-old.

“Kid, right now you are in a bad situation. But you don’t have to make it worse. You need to understand that there are people that care about you. But no one can care more about you than yourself. And if you want to do better, understand that there are people who are here to help you. For all of our kids who are making these choices to pick up guns, to get angry, to be violent, understand, you do not have to do that. There’s another way. You can solve all your issues by opening up and talking to people. And we stand at the ready. Call me, call a trusted individual, call Safe & sound. Call someone that you trust and let us help you,” Barton stated.

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With more than two years of expertise in news and analysis, Eileen Stewart is a seasoned reporter. Eileen is a respected voice in this field, well-known for her sharp reporting and insightful analysis. Her writing covers a wide range of subjects, from politics to culture and more.