Chesapeake, Va. WAVY — Police in Virginia have arrested a man in connection with a theft that upset many people.Chesapeake police have apprehended Esteban Santillan, 19, who is accused of stealing money from a kids’ lemonade stand earlier this month. The theft was captured on surveillance video, leading to Santillan being charged with petit larceny.
The incident went viral on August 14 when Santillan, believed to be the thief, stole a jar containing about $40 from 10-year-old Rebecca Caldwell and her 8-year-old brother Josh. They were selling lemonade in front of their home on Bells Mills Road when the man, driving a Toyota sedan, sped away with the money.
Thanks to the surveillance footage and public outrage, the community quickly rallied around Rebecca and Josh. In just 10 days, their lemonade stand earned $6,200 in donations. The kids plan to use the money for their sister’s mission trip, a four-wheeler for Rebecca, and a dirt bike for Josh.
Santillan, who went to high school in Connecticut and is currently studying at Tidewater Community College, lives about 2 miles from the kids’ home.
Rebecca and Josh’s mother, Annetta Caldwell, expressed relief over the arrest. She said, I’m super relieved they made an arrest. If Santillan is the one who stole from my kids, I’d like to meet him and understand why he did it. I’m not angry; I just want to know more about his situation.