Jacksonville dad chases down teens suspected of robbing son at Walmart

A Jacksonville father chased down a group of teens suspected of robbing his 12-year-old son.

Kevin Mears’ son told police he was inside the Walmart on Beach Boulevard and Southside Boulevard when a group of older boys grabbed the him by the throat, slammed him into a shelf and stole his phone.

“He had some bruising on his neck where they grabbed him,” said Mears.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office report said Mears’ son told police the teens then stole four new bikes from the store and took off.

Mears said he got in his truck and started driving to meet his son at Walmart.

“I get about halfway there and I’m coming to a stop sign,” said Mears. “I look to the right, four boys matching the description riding four brand-new bikes … They’re shiny. They had the tags still on them.”

Mears called 911 and chased the teens in his truck to Shore House Apartments.

“It went on for about 15 minutes, probably, until the police finally zeroed in where we were at,” said Mears.

The report from the Sheriff's Office said only one teen, a 16-year-old, was taken into custody because the 12-year-old and a witness both identified him as the one who had taken the phone.

Cox Media Group