Pick on Someone Your Own Size

Man robs 9-year-old

A 9-year-old boy was "strong-armed" and robbed on the West Side's Austin neighborhood Wednesday night.

Police have charged a man, who is about 35 years old, in the robbery, saying the boy was not injured in the incident.

The boy flagged down a police officer shortly after handing $23 to the offender, and police chased and captured the robber.

When asked why he had robbed the youngster, the man told police, "I didn't have any money."

While it's not certain where the boy was coming from or going to, Introspect Youth Services is listed at the Cicero Avenue address where the robbery occurred.

A 24-hour operator who answered the phone early Thursday said the Introspect Youth Services is a school or training program for teenagers preparing for college. The school organizes trips to various colleges for the prospective students.

An Alternative Schools Network Web site indicates Introspective Youth Services offers year-round education and employment services to youth from academically and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Introspect is a community-based youth agency serving the Austin, Garfield Park, Lawndale, Lower and Near West Side communities, according to the site, which said the population served are primarily, but not exclusively, ages 16 to 27.

Grand Central Area detectives are investigating.

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