Keonte Evans was doing yard work in a Georgia neighborhood when someone reported the 16-year-old to the police for trespassing. The Hapeville Police Department officer who responded to the scene, Eric Colleran, eventually established that wasn’t the case after talking to the teen.
“You might be told one thing over the radio, and when you show up on scene it’s something completely different,” Colleran, who has been with the Hapeville Police Department for seven years, told WSB-TV.
It also turned out that the person who reported Evans to the police did not know the teen had actually been hired to do the yard work. And though Colleran eventually resolved the issue, he also got to know Evans was actually working to raise money to buy a Playstation 5 as well as school clothes for his siblings.
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The officer and teen later went their separate ways – but Colleran reunited with Evans some days later and gifted him a Playstation 5 console. In the video of the moment, the surprised teen is seen hugging Colleran after he sees the gift in the trunk of the officer’s patrol car.
“Somebody did this for you. The game is so expensive. You can’t do anything but be so excited,” Evans said. “So, I gave him a hug. A big hug at that. A very big hug. It’s so sweet. Many people don’t do these things for kids.”
Colleran said his kind gesture wasn’t done with the intention of ending “up on the news.” “I was just trying to help him out and let him understand that if you work hard and are honest, good things will come to you,” he added.
The police officer, who also revealed he’s an avid gamer, managed to purchase the console with assistance from his department, USA TODAY reported. Evans also received an online gaming gift card.
Despite receiving the gift, a hardworking Evans said he still intends to help his mom buy school clothes by doing part-time work.
Teenager wants to earn pocket money for a PS5. He goes door to door in an Atlanta suburb to offer to help with gardening. Some residents get scared and call the police. The officer talks to the boy and he explains why he is looking for a job. The police officer, also a big gaming… pic.twitter.com/kdRBcxSoF5
— PerfectDay (@Perfect12577851) August 1, 2023
Officer Colleran was dispatched to a call wanting a juvenile removed from the area. The youth explained he wanted to earn money for a PlayStation. Officer Colleran, a gamer himself, was impressed with the young man and thought he would help him reach his goal. pic.twitter.com/YK8Ms7RE6v
— Hapeville PD (@Hapeville_PD) July 24, 2023
