Deputies give boy new game system after his was stolen
By Judi Villa, Rocky Mountain News
Originally published 09:39 p.m., August 7, 2008
Updated 12:23 a.m., August 8, 2008
Photo by Brian Lehmann
Juan Martinez, 8, left, of Commerce City, and a relative, Angel Martinez, enjoy a laugh. Adams County sheriff's deputies bought Juan a new video-game system after his was stolen.
Dominic Villanueba is accused of stealing a boy's Sony PSP.
Juan Martinez thought he was going to the Adams County Sheriff's Office substation for a tour.
While he was there, the 8-year-old met a police dog and was pretty sure that was the highlight of his day.
Imagine how excited he was when a real-life sheriff walked into the room and told Juan he'd be going home with a new Sony PSP game system and 12 video games to play on it.
A huge grin spread across Juan's face.
Adams County sheriff's deputies pooled their money to buy the device after Juan's was stolen July 31.
Deputy Michael Robbins was matter-of-fact about why he spearheaded efforts to do something nice for a boy he'd never met before.
"He's just a little kid. I don't like bullies," Robbins said. "That's what it seemed like to me, one older kid picking on a little kid.
"We couldn't let the bad guys win."
Police said Juan was visiting a relative's apartment and playing his PSP in a first-floor hallway when Dominic Villanueba, 19, asked the boy to show him how the game worked.
That's when Villanueba took the game and wouldn't return it, police say.
Juan's mother called authorities, but when deputies arrived at Villanueba's apartment, he told them the game "was under my bed, but it's not there anymore."
Villanueba was arrested and accused of theft, but the game system was gone.
Juan said he had played the game every day and losing it made him sad. He has a heart defect and is on the waiting list for a transplant.
Robbins figured he could put a grin back on Juan's face by replacing the system. Other deputies whipped out their wallets to help.
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August 7, 2008
10:29 p.m.
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ssqured writes:
Figures. Wonderful, uplifting human interest story ... and no comments.
If only those bashing Officer Montana for justifyably defending himself
would read this commentary on "the good guys".
August 7, 2008
11:07 p.m.
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wow writes:
We move slowly at times, ssqured, but rest assured, we do move.
I'm glad this caught my eye. LEOs do stuff like this all the time, and rarely get the positive feedback they deserve.
I'm happy to see this in print, and gratified that there are many great men and women in uniform doing nice little things, in addition to making the great sacrifices.
And ssqured...last I heard on Montana, you were on the fence...not so now?
August 8, 2008
5:40 a.m.
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HollyGoLightly writes:
What kind of POS steals a kid's game? May karma return the favor in the form of an ^ss beating for this guy!
Kudos to the men in blue that pooled their money to purchase the child a new Playstation. Hope he gets well soon!
August 8, 2008
7:10 a.m.
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sheepherder writes:
Rotten cops! What jerks!
August 8, 2008
10:09 a.m.
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Kinetic1 writes:
That's so sweet! Thanks, I really needed this.
August 8, 2008
10:44 a.m.
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Squatch writes:
Good job Deputies you all are class acts and should be very proud of helping a young boy out.
August 8, 2008
11:12 a.m.
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JackieMC writes:
My car was stolen, do I get a new one?
August 8, 2008
11:49 a.m.
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LingLingfor_prez writes:
Obviously you can't do this for everyone. But every once in a while you pitch in and try to make it a little better.
August 8, 2008
1:42 p.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
Great job guys!
August 8, 2008
1:55 p.m.
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OhBrother writes:
Good work, what a nice thing to do
August 8, 2008
2:08 p.m.
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DamiusX writes:
Since they were unable to recover the PSP, the restitution should be that peice of cr@p Villanueba has to give the little boy his heart.
He obviously doesn't have any use for it.
I hate bullies.
August 8, 2008
2:55 p.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
Damius
It sounds like someone has already taken it.
August 8, 2008
4:09 p.m.
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MarineGrunt writes:
There are a few folks in here saying, "Good Job" that fry the Police at every chance, funny that.
August 8, 2008
5:17 p.m.
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navymom writes:
It is great that these officers had enough compassion to bring happiness to an eight year old boy. Kudos to Deputy Michael Robbins and the rest of the Adams County sheriff's office.
It is great to see positive human interest stories for a change. Very refreshing.