Pathetic: Man Robs Nine-Year-Old Boy

CHICAGO (STNG) - A Hazel Crest man was charged for allegedly robbing a 9-year-old boy Wednesday night in the West Side’s Austin neighborhood. He also allegedly had four stolen credit cards on him.

Dennis Lares, 35, of the 3700 block of West Glenwood Lane in Hazel Crest, was charged with one count of robbery and four counts of theft of lost or mislaid property, according to police News Affairs Officer Daniel O’Brien.

Lares apparently saw the boy carrying money and allegedly robbed him of $23 about 10:30 p.m. at 430 N. Cicero Ave., police said.

“He strong-armed him,” according to police, who said the boy was not injured and flagged down a police officer who chased the man and captured him.

When police asked the unarmed Lares why he did it, he allegedly said, “Because I didn’t have any money.”

When Lares was searched at the police station he was allegedly found to be in possession of four stolen credit cards, police said.

Introspect Youth Services is listed at the Cicero Avenue address. 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.