A nine-year-old girl who fought off a robber by punching him in the face after he attached her mother and tried to steal her purse is being honored for her bravery by Florida police who say they’re proud of her crime-fighting actions.
Journee, along with Danielle Mobley her mother, were on errands at West Palm Beach when they were attacked in front of Sabor Tropical Supermarket.
Surveillance video shows Mobley and a man aiming for Mobley, as they return to their car.
Without hesitation, little Journee races to the aid of her mom, pummeling the thief as he tries to steal the woman’s purse.
‘I fought back,’ the girl told 7 News Miami. ‘I had to save my mom.’
Journee is being called a hero for her attack on a robber trying to take her mother’s purse at a West Palm Beach grocery store.
Chief Frank Adderley said during a press conference Thursday that while he wouldn’t recommend confronting criminals, the girl’s actions were understandable during the heat of the moment.
‘I bet he was shocked when she hit him right on the face,’ Adderly told reporters. ‘You definitely could tell on the video tape he was not expecting that. This was a perfect situation for her timing.
‘I think she hit him pretty hard.’
Danielle Mobley expressed pride in her daughter’s ability to think quickly and stated that the girl ran after him after he took her purse.
Police recognized Journee’s courage during an exclusive ceremony held Thursday
Demetrius J. Jackson, 29 years old was charged with Robbery and Battery
A certificate of bravery was presented to the police officer who acted heroically during the brazen daytime theft. Target also gave her a gift card.
According to her mother, Journee intervened quickly to assist her after the robber had knocked the mom to the ground.
‘I’m very proud of her, that [helping] was her initial reaction,’ Mobley said. ‘I wish things could be a little different because she is still dealing with this mentally.’
Journee, she said, chased him down the street and took his purse.
‘She actually jumped up and chased him four houses down the block with me chasing her, calling her back,’ her mom said.
According to a Yahoo arrest affidavit, it contained a phone, gum and bank cards. It also had a Coach wallet with $40.
Two days later, Demetrius Jackson (29), was arrested by police and taken into custody.