Posted on 12/03/2003 10:01:31 AM PST by Pern
Houston cabdriver accused of stealing more than $3,000 worth of toys from a cancer-stricken teenager last month was in jail Tuesday after authorities arrested him in southeast Houston on Monday night.
Cedric Deon Edmonson, 25, was being held without bail on a felony theft charge punishable by up to two years in state jail. Capt. Robert Van Pelt of the Harris County Sheriff's Department said Edmonson gave detectives a written statement admitting his involvement in the Nov. 24 theft and led them to the stolen toys.
Edmonson was arrested about 8 p.m. Monday in the 3000 block of Dulcrest, said sheriff's Sgt. John Martin. Martin said Edmonson, who was employed by Liberty Cab Co. at the time of the theft, led authorities to his girlfriend's unit in the Haverstock Hill Apartments in the 5600 block of Aldine Bender, where most or all the stolen toys were stored.
Quanell X, the leader of the local New Black Panther Party, said Monday that Edmonson had planned to surrender to police Tuesday afternoon. Quanell X planned to accompany Edmonson to police headquarters because the cabdriver feared he might be beaten by officers.
"It's been a hell of a ride, but it's OK," Quanell X said. "The Sheriff's Department broke the agreement."
The charge against Edmonson stems from the alleged theft of toys from 13-year-old Steven Rael, a bone cancer patient who had chosen them during a birthday shopping spree sponsored by the Texas Wishing Well Foundation, which fulfills wishes of seriously ill children.
Authorities contend that Edmonson volunteered to drive the toys to the boy's home in southwest Houston but never showed up at the home. He later was fired by the taxi company, which also donated $3,000 to replace the stolen toys.
Rael was later treated to a second shopping expedition to replace the stolen toys.
Edmonson originally told authorities that he had been robbed of the items packed into his taxi van on his way to the teen's residence.
"I think it's just fantastic," Texas Wishing Well official Rebecca Wittert said upon learning of Edmonson's arrest. "They need to take care of him according to the law and put him behind bars for a while. He needs to be behind bars."
Chronicle reporter Peggy O'Hare contributed to this story.
I bet that sure sounded pretty lame.
That is so JUDGMENTAL! I mean, the man may have really wanted the toys or something. [Can I get invited to the America Coming Together party now?]
Good to see he's got his priorities straight...
Thank God for the good citizens of Houston....
YOWZA..
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