RNC Chief Robert Johnston has had a lot of disturbing cases come across his desk over the years but he told reporters on Monday that even he was surprised by an incident at Mount Pearl Square over the weekend.
“I’m here today to talk about this incident as a chief of police and as a parent,” said Johnston.
“I’m appalled by what had taken place with this person with disabilities. This vulnerable person in our community,” he said.
“All of us, we have a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable in our community.”
For the full story pick up a copy of Tuesday's Telegram.
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The RNC confirmed today that five young people have been arrested in connection with an assault and robbery on Friday.
The youths range in age from 14 to 17 and consist of two males and three females.
According to the RNC, the group allegedly lured a 24-year-old male, who has a physical disability, away from the parking lot at Sobey's Square (now Mount Pearl Square), in Mount Pearl. The victim was led into a wooded area where the group jumped him. He was assaulted and his valuables were taken.
The victim went to a nearby store for help and called the RNC. He was later treated in hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
All of the suspects have been charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and robbery with violence. One of the females was also charged with breaching two court orders.
All five have ben remanded into custody and will appear again in youth court on Monday.
The RNC is asking anyone with information regarding this case to come forward. Anyone who might have been in the area at the time is also asked to contact the police. Information can be passed along by calling the RNC Major Crime Unit at 729-8000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Information can also be submitted online at www.nlcrimestoppers.com.
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Actually, some of the people that did this were my friends. You do not know these people personally so attacking them over the internet is just a low, maybe not near to the extent as this .. but it is still very low. The " leader " as you say may be a bad case and i can tell you that personally because i know her. She has dealt with a lot in her life growing up which yes i know is no excuse. Her mother isn't a bad mother at all. So to attack they're parents is stupid on your part. One of the guys just wants friends and goes with what's "cool " by all means this was not cool what so ever. For the other two girls they just do things to fit in and have friends. Stupid yes i agree but i am a 17 year old and i know how hard it is to grow up not having friends and just wanting some, and for the last guy if you met him and knew him personally you'd never expect him to be involved in such a thing, he has a job and goes to school, Does anything for anybody. Yes teenagers are crazy now a days. I've heard so much worst stuff going on here in Newfoundland and for you to attack these kids the way you did is just plain crazy, they made a choice in they're life that they can never undo and trust me, they regret everything they have done. They ain't in the criminal system except for 1, and for the most part they have good parents. So maybe next time you go on the internet and blab your mouth, think twice. Maybe you need to grow up just as much as they do. And look twice in the mirror.