34 South Main St., Attleboro, MA - (508) 222-7000
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Girl, 10, robbed outside city market
Top Headlines Police ID two men who stole $1 bill, bag of cans
ATTLEBORO - Police say a 10-year-old girl was robbed in broad daylight of a $1 bill and a bag of empty aluminum cans by two men Wednesday outside the Seabra supermarket on South Main Street."I need it more than you, kid," police said one of the robbers told the frightened girl before the two men ran off. The two suspects, 43-year-old Robert Rowell, who police say is homeless, and Kevin P. Egan, 50, of 166 Pine St. in Attleboro, were arrested later after they were identified by the girl through a photo array. They pleaded innocent Thursday in Attleboro District Court to unarmed robbery charges and were ordered held in jail on $150 cash bail, each. Police court prosecutor Gerald Larsen said the incident occurred about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at the can redemption center at the supermarket. Larsen said the robbery of the young girl at that time of day in the parking lot of a busy supermarket "demonstrates the brazenness of the defendants." They were arrested after an investigation by officers Richard Pierce Jr., Joseph Daday, Edward Gingras and Danish Malhatra. Defense lawyers Stephen Scialla of Attleboro and Kerri Quintal of North Attleboro said the incident was a misunderstanding. They said the defendants actually gave the girl a $1 bill for her cans so she wouldn't have to wait in line, and figured the cans were worth more than a dollar. The suspects are due back in court Aug. 6.
Post Your Comments Beeastar wrote on Aug 3, 2008 1:09 PM: " Cheers to the police for finding and arresting the individuals who are charged with this crime. I wonder if other people saw this happen if so "Why didn't they step up to help the child?" So often today people don't want to get involved. We (the USA) are in financial distress Jobs are harder to come by. I am very thankful that the girl was not physically hurt. I am a parent and I worry about my children and their friends. Kids have enough to worry about with their peers being bullys they certainly don't need to be afraid of us adults. We need to Open our eyes and watch out for each other. I moved my children here from Phoenix, AZ to get them away from the dangers of the big city. Yes Sherrif Joe has a tent villiage (jail) NO Air conditioning just tents and cotts (of course meals). the average temp of Phoenix in August is 108 degrees. " hope10 wrote on Jul 29, 2008 8:26 PM: " THE CLOWNS HAVE FRIENDS WHO CAME UP WITH MONEY FOR ONE OF THEM, WAS LET OUT LAST MONDAY, NOT SUPPOSE TO GO NEAR THE SEABRA, FAMILY DOLLAR, REDEMTION CENTER, WELL GUESS WHO WAS THERE WHEN THE LITTLE GIRL AND HER MOTHER WAS THERE TODAY, THE GUY WHOS NOT SUPPOSE TO BE THERE THAT GIRL WAS SO SCARED TO SEE HIM, HE GAVE THEM A DIRTY LOOK AND WAS WATCHING THEM, WHEN THERE IS A ORDER TOO STAY AWAY MAYBE SOMEONE SHOULD EXPLAIN THIS TO HIM AND IT MEANS STAY AWAY!! " realist wrote on Jul 19, 2008 12:47 AM: " to abororesident -- Not wanting to justify any criminal behavior, but everyone is entitled to a defense. I'm betting the lawyers were court appointed. When you put yourself in the pool you don't get to pick and choose. " abororesident wrote on Jul 18, 2008 4:29 PM: " This is crazy! If these "lawyers" seriously defend these guys... that's just awful! And also... why shouldn't a 10 year old be able to go into any supermarket with some cans? They can make a little summer cash but collecting cans... it's really innocent... I hope these guys are locked up... why do we allow homeless people to LIVE behind this supermarket? I would think that just making your home in the woods would not be allowed... I'm assuming they do not pay property tax... like I do... That whole operation really needs to be shut down!!! " chiman1111 wrote on Jul 18, 2008 4:14 PM: " I guess some people are missing my point. When two strange men have to approach a small child for any reason it should be a crime. Where the hell are the parents that let a ten year old go and recycle bottles anyway that sounds fishy too. If anyone started to approach any child that they don't know people should be suspicious period! To think no one did anything and it was day light shows you how involved people are with there surroundings our the lack of care they have, of something happening around them. As far as my analogy on pot..all Im saying is it seems as if you can get in more trouble smoking a joint privately in your own yard. Then having two strange men approach, apprehend a small childs' belongings during the day in front of a dam supermarket! It doesnt make much sense to me. " jose21 wrote on Jul 18, 2008 3:40 PM: " Good point.. " realist wrote on Jul 18, 2008 1:32 PM: " jose21 -- Actually they were $150 short. I'm sure the dollar is evidence. " jose21 wrote on Jul 18, 2008 1:27 PM: " Realist - Decriminalizing pot is actually on the ballot for November. Chiman - what do you think should happen to two homeless guys that pulled a dollar out of a little girls hand? I agree that these 2 are dirtbags and I could careless about them, but their crime does not warrant much more that what they've already received. Like Hojo20 said, how are they going to get 150, if they need to steal a dollar. Right now they're both about $149.50 short. " realist wrote on Jul 18, 2008 1:21 PM: " to kevinh - I don't know about a gun for a 10 year old... maybe. To chiman1111 -- The city cops, state judges and the city pols don't make the laws regarding drug use. That is done in the state house. Contact them if you want the law changed. Don't count on much support. " Atownlady wrote on Jul 18, 2008 1:18 PM: " This kind of behavior is not out of the norm, for the East side of Attleboro. I know a 39 year old man, who had a trash bag of recyclables taken from his feet at Seabra. " chiman1111 wrote on Jul 18, 2008 1:15 PM: " The law makers in this town, state and country are so messed up it blows me away. Ok so these two guys approach a child and grab her property and money regardless of how much she could have any amount that is not the point at all. The point is, people are debating on community service and held with just a $150 bail? Are you serious? However if your caught with a joint in this town you can goto jail? Who is the bright guys that come up with these moronic laws? If this was the chief of police or a judges child these guys would disappear. Where is the justice on this. People do harder time for much less of a crime. I guess we live in a society where grabbing a child for there possessions is just a slap on the wrist in Good Ol Attleboro. This town and its lawmakers are a bunch of jokers. " Harry Hindsight wrote on Jul 18, 2008 1:13 PM: " kevin h, if it was leaglly owned and she had her permit to carry, then the outcome may have been different. A person that owns a gun lawfully should not be afraid to exercise their training in their own defense. I'm not sure what the age limit is for a gun permit. Would this incident justify one's right to carry a legally owned weapon? " realist wrote on Jul 18, 2008 12:57 PM: " To Harry Hindsight - I wouldn't mind that, but the folks in AZ might. I hear they have enough of their own scum to deal with. I've read about that sheriff. Of course those prisoners still have better living conditions than the forward troops in the Army and Marine corp. " kevin h. wrote on Jul 18, 2008 12:31 PM: " If she only had a gun. ;-) " Harry Hindsight wrote on Jul 18, 2008 12:20 PM: " Realist, you have opened my mind on the community service punishment. I just feel that 3 hots and a cot would be a step up for these two. How about sending them to that sherrif in Arizona with the tent city and pink prison wear. " realist wrote on Jul 18, 2008 12:11 PM: " To justice08 - have you considered blaming the perpetrators? Why don't we blame the victim? If she didn't have a dollar and the cans, she would not have been robbed. The police cannot just go up to "suspicious" people and arrest them without cause even if they are known to the police. " momof3 wrote on Jul 18, 2008 12:05 PM: " Where was this girls mother? With all the low life sex offenders and homeless people that loiter in this area...who lets their child be left alone to be victimized. The mother and the girl are lucky she was only robbed. Punish these creeps. Hopefully this is a wake up call to all the parents that this isn't the 1950's where kids can be alone and safe in their neighborhood. Wake up and smell the coffee!!! " mmarcia wrote on Jul 18, 2008 11:45 AM: " What happens when they escalate to knives or guns robbing people? While I agree that I don't want my tax dollars keeping them in lock-up, that may be the only punishment they understand. " justice08 wrote on Jul 18, 2008 11:39 AM: " All too often we read tragic stories like this, I blame the judges, law enforcement and our local politicians for allowing scum to walk the streets to prey upon and terrorize law-abiding citizens. If these two had photos in the police station, they were well known in town for their criminal activity. I for one call for the judges, police and politicians to keep scum like this away from society. No wonder businesses are leaving Attleboro. Someone step up to the plate and do the right thing. For God sakes, she was only 10 years old. Are you going to wait until someone is murdered. " realist wrote on Jul 18, 2008 10:56 AM: " Community Service is for minor acts against property, disturbing the peace or littering. If they are guilty, they intimidated a child. Imagine the fear of two people several times larger than you wanting your property. Now do you think that deserves community service? And let's not start on the blame society trip. There are number of churches and charitable groups within walking distance of that area. " Auk wrote on Jul 18, 2008 10:25 AM: " I dont know what's worse, that a child was robbed of a dollar, or that we have people so desperate that they would rob a child for a dollar. I hope the little girl is o.k. " SunChick02 wrote on Jul 18, 2008 9:18 AM: " This is horrible. I don't want those low lives to go to jail and be fed and clothed with my tax money. Community Service is better " hope for attleboro wrote on Jul 18, 2008 8:50 AM: " Horrible! I love my home and my neighborhood, but it's things like this that make me want to move out of Attleboro. It's so important to continue to improve the city in anyway possible. Businesses are not going to be knocking on our doorstep with news items like this! So sad. " NaturalCasing wrote on Jul 18, 2008 8:16 AM: " I can not even describe how angry I am. I hope that little girl is alright. " Hojo20 wrote on Jul 18, 2008 8:13 AM: " How are these clowns going to post $150 bail if they are robbing little girls for $1? " realist wrote on Jul 18, 2008 7:56 AM: " Community service? No, I go with jail. Just tell the other inmates that these two tough guys robbed a 10 year old. Then they will learn about the fear and intimidation that they put her through. (forgive the grammatical transgression) " Harry Hindsight wrote on Jul 18, 2008 7:13 AM: " The lowest of the low. Jail would be a step up for these two. Community service with a broom and shovel sounds about right. " or
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