A brazen theft that shocked the community has led to an arrest in Chesapeake, Virginia, after a man was caught on camera stealing from a children’s lemonade stand.
Esteban Santillan, 19, has been taken into custody and charged with petit larceny in connection with the incident, which occurred earlier this month. The theft was caught on surveillance footage, showing a man, believed to be Santillan, snatching a money jar containing around $40 from the stand set up by 10-year-old Rebecca Caldwell and her 8-year-old brother Josh in front of their home.
The story of the theft spread like wildfire on August 14, sparking widespread outrage in the Hampton Roads community. However, the public’s response was overwhelmingly supportive, with many rallying around the siblings. Ten days after the theft, the community came together to show their support, and the lemonade stand was inundated with customers, raising a staggering $6,200.
The siblings plan to use the funds to support their sister’s mission trip, as well as treat themselves to a four-wheeler and a dirt bike. According to his social media profiles, Santillan is a student at Tidewater Community College, which has a campus near the children’s home, and lists a current address just two miles away.
Rebecca and Josh’s mother, Annetta Caldwell, expressed relief at the news of the arrest. “I’m super relieved they made an arrest,” she said, adding that if Santillan is indeed the perpetrator, she would like to meet with him to understand his motivations. “I’m not angry, I just want to learn more about his situation and why he did what he did.”
