Boy hero snags attempted fundraiser robber

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PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – A 9-year-old became a hero to his sister’s softball team when he helped keep a teenager from cashing in on the team’s donations Saturday.

The Charlotte Swarm, a softball team for little girls, was raising money for upcoming tournaments when a teenager saw a crime of opportunity and grabbed the team’s cash box, 9-year-old Charles Culver said.

“He walked over and grabbed the box and then I went to grab him and he hit me in the head and my mom was like ding!” Culver said, motioning that his mother went after the teenager.

Charles’ mother, Wendy, said she caught up to the teen after Charles was hit. The would-be robber was shocked, according to Charles.

“She ran after him and grabbed his backpack and he was like ‘Oh dang!'” Charles said.

Charlotte Swarm’s assistant coach, JP Muzio, said Wendy was also heroic for stepping in.

“Wendy went all mama-bear on him and held him back,” Muzio said.

The softball team was shaken up, Wendy said.

“It was scary,” she said. “It was scary that somebody would come and steal money from a bunch of girls — a bunch of 9,10,11-year old girls.”

But the girls were back for donations Sunday with their 9-year-old bodyguard Charles.

“We always joke around ‘You don’t mess with Chuck’ and he proved it yesterday,” Muzio said of Charles. “Chuck fears nothing.”

The Charlotte County Sherif’s Office was able to catch the teenager, who is facing robbery charges.

The Charlotte Swarm’s first game is March 19.

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