Dad forces boys to apologize for theft

GERING, Neb., Nov. 13 (UPI) -- The father of two brothers, ages 12 and 15, accused of shoplifting from a Gering, Neb., Dollar General store said he ordered them to publicly apologize.

Cole Russell, 15, and his brother Kip, 12, spent an hour Wednesday standing outside the store with bright orange signs outlining their alleged behavior and were due to spend another hour outside the store Thursday, the Scottsbluff (Neb.) Star-Herald reported Thursday.

The elder brother is due in court Dec. 5 on shoplifting charges after he allegedly entered the store and hid a small ax inside his coat while Kip waited outside.

Merle Russell, the boys' father, said Kip was punished alongside Cole for not attempting to stop the crime.

"I'm not light when it comes to discipline,'' Russell said. "I won't tolerate a thief, and hopefully this will teach them that need to make the right choices. When you steal, it takes money away from everybody.''