Justice has made its reach from the cobblestone streets of Plymouth, Massachusetts, to the hum of Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee. Julius Houston, the man accused of robbing an autistic Wal-Mart employee after his shift in Plymouth, has been arrested by the Shelby County Sheriff's Office in Memphis, the Plymouth Police Department reported.
The long arm of the law extended across state lines to apprehend Houston on a warrant from Massachusetts, where the robbery took place. According to the Plymouth Police Department's statement, "They were able to capture Julius Houston on an extraditable Massachusetts Warrant." The circumstances of the crime, specifically targeting an individual with autism, add a layer of reprehensibility to the offense.
The cross-country bust is the latest in a series of incidents that underscore the collaboration between local and national law enforcement agencies. Over the next few days, officers from Plymouth are expected to travel to Memphis to bring Houston back to Massachusetts where, the police added, "After that, he will face a Massachusetts Judge.... We will keep you posted..."
This case highlights the often invisible plight of those with disabilities facing victimization. The relationship between societal vulnerabilities and crime remains an ongoing concern, a conversation to which, the arrest of Julius Houston has unwittingly contributed. Details on the court proceedings will be awaited as law enforcement continues to update the public on the progress of the case.
