A vigilant 11-year-old boy helped police capture a suspected bank robber in South Jersey Wednesday.
Steven Hill, 54, entered the TD Bank on the 100 block of S Broadway in Gloucester City around 3 p.m. and handed the teller a note demanding cash, Camden County Prosecutor Warren Faulk said.
The prosecutor says the teller gave Hill the money with a dye pack that exploded as he left the bank.
Justin Ellis, 11, had just gotten out of school with a friend when he says they spotted Hill running. He boldly began to follow him.
"He keeps running so the ink bag exploded right next to the trash can," said Ellis. "He took off his jacket, hat and gloves and put them in the trash can."
Once Police arrived, Justin helped direct them to Hill, who the officials say was found with the cash and the note, still wearing clothes stained by the dye pack.
"He was a phenomenal witness," said Chief George Bergland of the Gloucester City Police Department. "He took the officer around, showed him where the different pieces of evidence were. Basically because of him we had a rock solid case. He was just incredible. He's a little hero."
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Hill was arrested on the scene. He remained in custody Thursday in the Camden County Jail, charged with 2nd degree robbery.
Justin will meet with the manager of the TD Bank on Saturday where he will be personally thanked for his bravery. But Justin says the biggest reward out of all of this is brand new police patch.
"I just want to be a police officer," said Justin.
Thanks to his daring deed, the young hero is well on his way.
