A 9-year-old girl is being hailed as a hero after she sprung into action when a robber tried to steal her mother’s purse. Journee Nelson had been shopping with her mother, Danielle Mobley, at Sabor Tropical Supermarket in West Palm Beach on November 2 when a man knocked her mother to the ground and ran away with her bag. Journee wasn’t about to let that happen, of course!
- Journee chased the thief down. After the thief stole her mother’s bag, Journee chased the man down and began punching him until he let go of the stolen belongings. “I fought back,” she told 7 News Miami. “I had to save my mom.”
- Police honored Journee for her bravery. Holding a special ceremony for Journee’s courage, Chief Frank Adderley applauded the little girl for her quick thinking and her desire to protect the law. “I bet he was shocked when she hit him right on the face,” Adderley said. “You definitely could tell on the videotape he was not expecting that. Her actions were perfect timing in this particular situation. I think she hit him pretty hard.” She was given a Target gift card and a special certificate for her act. However, Adderley was quick to add that confronting criminals isn’t generally a good idea.
- Journee’s mom is incredibly proud of her daughter. She told reporters that her daughter is still shaken up by the encounter but that she’s moved by her child’s bravery. “I’m very proud of her, that [helping] was her initial reaction. I wish things could be a little different because she is still dealing with this mentally,” Mobley said. “She actually jumped up and chased him four houses down the block with me chasing her, calling her back.”
- The robber was caught and arrested. Demetrius Jackson, 29, was charged with robbery and battery two days later. Not only did Journee make sure her mom’s belongings were saved, but surveillance footage from the parking lot also helped identify the criminal so he could be brought to justice.
