Martin teen accused of trying to get victim to buy back own cell phone

[thundley4]

STUART — A 16-year-old boy has been accused of stealing a Winter Park man's cell phone and later attempting to extort money from the man in exchange for the cell phone's return, according to a report released Wednesday by the Martin County Sheriff's Office.

Joshua Taneal Curry of the 400 block of Southeast Lake Street in Stuart has been charged with auto burglary, grand theft, extortion armed with a gun, possession of a firearm by a delinquent under the age of 24, carrying a concealed firearm and wearing a mask while committing an offense.

The report says the victim spent the night at a friend's house in the 1900 block of Northeast Acapulco Drive and awoke Saturday morning to find his cell phone and charger missing from his vehicle.

When the victim called his cell phone, a boy later identified as Curry answered and told the victim he would need to pay $150 to get his cell phone back. According to the report, Curry then sent the victim several text messages requesting $240 for the return of the phone.

The victim agreed to meet the boy in the parking lot of Shells Restaurant in the 100 block of Southwest Monterey Road and pay him the money for the phone. Curry warned the victim he would be armed with a gun, so if the victim didn't bring the full amount of cash "it would be sorry for him," the report says.

Floriduh


Massive ransom for phone FAIL.

[Chris_]

Did this moron think the victim would just show up and hand over cash?

What's his DUmp name?

[bijou]

This boy will grow up to grace the pages of smokinggun.com.

[Gratiot]

This boy will grow up to grace the pages of smokinggun.com.

Indeed, the Fark headline or Smokinggun Mug Shot potential is strong in that one 

[Chris_]

I have known to some degree or other quite a few cops and they all say the same: criminals are DUMB!  If they were smart they wouldn't be CRIMINALS.

That is why more often than not they get busted.  If you watch Forensic Files the trail is a lot easier than on L&O:CI.  When they get away with it, it is DUMB luck.