Boy, 12, holds 'thief' sign on corner

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DENVER, March 28 (UPI) -- A Colorado father said he made his 12-year-old son carry a sign labeling him a "thief" because he stole $100 from his cousin's wallet.

Joseph Gonzalez said his son, Jose, is spending a large chunk of his spring break holding the sign on the corner of 22nd and Larimer streets in Denver after he took money from his cousin's wallet at the family's Aurora home, The Denver Post reported Wednesday.

"I am a thief. I took money from a family member," the sign reads.

"He's a good kid," Gonzalez said. "This is the first time he's done something like this. I hope it will be the last."

Gonzalez said he is able to supervise his son and keep him fed during his punishment because the corner is located across from his pawn shop.

The father said he is not worried about his son's reputation.

"Nah, he's only 12 years old," he said. "Everybody makes mistakes at that time in their life. It's about being corrected."