So did you hear about the 23 year old in Indianapolis??? Gregory Smith walked into an Advance Cash Store and pointed a gun at the clerk. Angie Montez, the clerk, begged Greg not to do “this” and said that she didn’t want to die. And what did Gregory do? What does he say? “I don’t want to do this either!”
So are you wondering why Greg was there. Times are hard and Greg and his 2 year old son were going to be put out on the street later that afternoon. Greg goes on to talk with the clerk telling her that he has been looking for a job for months. Angie talks with Greg and they end up crying and praying together. Greg took the bullet out of the gun, told Angie to stay in the bathroom for 20 minutes, took 20 dollars and left. Later on Greg turned himself in and returned the money.
This story got me. We all have the choice to do good or bad but I can’t help putting my feet in this man’s shoes for a moment. I’m not a parent, but I imagine I would do anything for mine. This young man was at then end of his rope and felt he didn’t have a choice. And they prayed together?!? Where are my tissues???
So what do you think about this? Economic times have been unbearable. I was unemployed this past summer and if it had not been for my mother, I’m not sure what I would be doing. People are starting to do things they would never do otherwise. I mean if I had a small child at home, no job, no money and was about to be kicked out of my home, I would probably do some crazy things. I don’t condone what Greg did but I can understand where he was coming from. I don’t think he is some ruthless criminal. He ended up only taking 20 bucks and never assaulted the clerk. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
So are you wondering why Greg was there. Times are hard and Greg and his 2 year old son were going to be put out on the street later that afternoon. Greg goes on to talk with the clerk telling her that he has been looking for a job for months. Angie talks with Greg and they end up crying and praying together. Greg took the bullet out of the gun, told Angie to stay in the bathroom for 20 minutes, took 20 dollars and left. Later on Greg turned himself in and returned the money.
This story got me. We all have the choice to do good or bad but I can’t help putting my feet in this man’s shoes for a moment. I’m not a parent, but I imagine I would do anything for mine. This young man was at then end of his rope and felt he didn’t have a choice. And they prayed together?!? Where are my tissues???
So what do you think about this? Economic times have been unbearable. I was unemployed this past summer and if it had not been for my mother, I’m not sure what I would be doing. People are starting to do things they would never do otherwise. I mean if I had a small child at home, no job, no money and was about to be kicked out of my home, I would probably do some crazy things. I don’t condone what Greg did but I can understand where he was coming from. I don’t think he is some ruthless criminal. He ended up only taking 20 bucks and never assaulted the clerk. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
So what now? Greg is being charged. I don’t think jail time is what this situation needs. This makes me ponder a frequently asked question, “Do you send a man to jail for stealing bread when he’s hungry?” What Greg needs is some community service, counseling and assistance in finding employment. Placing him in jail and his son in this system will probably only result in making him a REAL criminal.
No comments:
Post a Comment