A mother in St. Louis, Missouri, is making headlines for turning her teen son over to authorities after discovering the unthinkable: He allegedly carjacked a pastor, pointed a gun at his head, and stole his car.
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The incident began after Pastor Mike Coleman of the Cardonelet Baptist Church said he was carjacked by two teens at the house of worship Jan. 27, KSDK-TV reported.
Coleman, who is glad to be alive, said they took his keys, wallet, and car but seemed unsure how to use the vehicle. After asking for guidance, they drove just a little distance before hitting other vehicles, ditching the 2016 Dodge Caravan, and fleeing the scene.
“I was trying to think a step ahead of them, but honestly, I just really did not know what to do — did not have time,” Coleman told KMOV-TV. “And that transpires in about a minute, two minutes almost — maybe three, every second felt like an eternity.”
According to St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the mother of a 13-year-old boy allegedly involved in the carjacking began to question her son and eventually went to the police — something that would be incredibly difficult for any parent.
“It was his mother becoming aware of the event and questioning her son and turning him over to the juvenile courts for prosecution,” Capt. Donnell Moore said. “Investigators are still working to find the second suspect.”
The teen was in court last week and has another hearing Feb. 14, according to KSDK-TV.
As for Coleman, he wants to see changed hearts and minds after the incident. He pressed charges and is hoping to see the situation yield positivity.
“It’s important to prosecute not out of meanness or ugliness, but turning a life around,” Coleman told KSDK-TV, noting he spoke up during last week’s court appearance. “I told them I am praying for these kids.”
The preacher hopes accountability for the incident helps stop these teens from doing the same thing in the future. He said he’s also hoping to help the community in the wake of what unfolded.
Coleman praised the mom who turned her son over to authorities, noting the decision was likely very difficult.
“I commend her for turning him in, because that’s probably the hardest thing, but the best thing, she could do for him, because these people he’s dealing with, you don’t know how desperate they are,” he told Fox News, noting the kids could be working for adults or others with dangerous intentions.
Coleman also welcomed the child and his family to the church and expressed his wish not to see the incident define the teen’s life.
“We don’t exclude anybody. We are a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints,” the pastor said. “I don’t want this to define his life. I don’t want this to follow him.”
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