COLUMBUS, Ohio — A man’s day of wanting to celebrate his birthday on Sunday turned into a nightmare.
“My stomach hurts a little bit when I talk about it because it kind of bothers me because it kind of rattles me a little bit,” Justin McGhee said.
McGhee was going to meet some friends Sunday evening to celebrate his birthday when he made a quick pitstop at a corner store at East Main Street and Lilley Avenue to get some money.
He walked inside the store and saw a group of teenagers.
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McGhee said that after he had left the store, the group had tried to ask him a question. He replied quickly with “No thanks” and walked back to his car.
“I get in my car, shut my door, plug my phone in not thinking twice about it, and then by the time I put my head up and look for my phone, there’s some kid at my window,” he said.
According to McGhee, the group of teens pulled multiple guns on him. They checked his pockets and stole his phone, wallet and keys.
“I was just worried about them attacking me at first. It was the gun, but then I thought what if I get shot? So, I just moved slow, out of the way and said ‘Is this really happening?’”
The group of teens got into McGhee’s car and drove off. Columbus police say the four teens – ages 14 and 15 – drove to East Broad Street near the Ohio Statehouse where they ran a red light, spun out and crashed into a parked car.
“I was thinking maybe I’ll get my car back. Maybe they’ll take my car and drop it off somewhere. Then later on that night, I see on the news. My mom was like, ‘Justin, your car is on the news. It’s wrecked.’”
McGhee says he has insurance, but now he’s out of a car, his wallet and his peace of mind.
“It’s not fair that now I have to pay for a new car. It’s not fair that I have to lose sleep or have time off of work and figure out my new life situation. I didn’t think I was going to be moving six months down the line from moving into a new place. But now I have to.”
The suspects are charged with aggravated robbery, robbery and receiving stolen property. The judge ordered on Monday that they stay in custody at a juvenile detention center.
However, McGhee said he doesn’t believe that teenagers are being held accountable for their actions.
“This is the day and time we live in that we got to worry about little kids having guns and, I don’t know, just out here acting reckless and being senseless,” he said.