A 60-year-old man from Guadeloupe, a French overseas region located in the Caribbean, has left residents and law enforcement in utter disbelief after robbing a supermarket with the sole purpose of being sent to prison so he could reunite with his grandson. The peculiar act has quickly spread across the community, drawing both sympathy and shock from people who described the elderly man as a kind and gentle person who had never been in trouble before.
The strange incident occurred in Sainte-Rose, a peaceful commune in the northern part of the Guadeloupe archipelago. According to local reports, the retired firefighter, who had lived a quiet life up until then, entered a supermarket situated not far from a police station. Wearing a balaclava and armed with what appeared to be a weapon, he startled the staff by demanding the money in the cash register. Witnesses described him as calm and polite, not aggressive or violent, throughout the ordeal.
After taking a small amount of cash, the elderly man surprised everyone by grabbing “a piece of Emmental cheese and a bottle of wine,” which he placed carefully into his bag. Without rushing or showing panic, he walked out of the store, got into his vehicle, and drove a short distance before being intercepted by police officers. Reports confirmed that he did not resist arrest and, in fact, appeared relieved when handcuffs were placed on his wrists.
Authorities initially suspected a mental breakdown or financial difficulty, but the truth turned out to be far more touching and unusual. During interrogation, the man confessed that his intention was not to steal but to deliberately get arrested so he could be imprisoned alongside his grandson, who is currently serving a sentence at a nearby correctional facility. The revelation left officers stunned, prompting further psychological and background evaluations.
“He just wanted to be with his grandson” — Lawyer explains
Speaking to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the man’s lawyer, Léa Le Chevillier, shed light on the emotional motivation behind her client’s actions. She explained that the man, who had always maintained a good reputation in his community, was driven purely by love and desperation, not by any criminal intent. According to her, the retired firefighter had recently paid a visit to his grandson in prison and was devastated by what he witnessed during that encounter.
“He saw his grandson in a terrible state,” Le Chevillier said. “The young man had been bullied by other inmates and even had a broken tooth. My client was heartbroken. He left the prison that day feeling powerless and determined to protect the boy in any way possible.”
The lawyer went on to explain that, in his mind, the only way to ensure his grandson’s safety was to be there with him behind bars. “He wasn’t thinking about consequences or punishment,” she continued. “He wasn’t interested in the money or the crime itself. All he wanted was to share a cell with his grandson and provide him with emotional support, even if it meant sacrificing his own freedom.”
Neighbors and friends who knew the elderly man described him as a devoted family man and a caring grandfather who had stepped in to raise and support his grandson after the boy’s parents faced personal struggles. “He has always been there for his family,” one neighbor told local media. “He must have been truly desperate to do something like this.”
Judge shows leniency, orders therapy instead of jail
When the man appeared before the court, he immediately admitted to every detail of the crime and expressed no attempt to justify his actions. Prosecutors initially charged him with armed robbery, aggravated assault, and rebellion—serious offences that typically carry a prison term of three to five years. However, the judge and legal experts soon realized that this case was unlike any other they had encountered.
Describing the situation as “completely unprecedented,” the presiding judge acknowledged that while the crime itself could not be ignored, the motive behind it was rooted in compassion rather than malice. The court reviewed the man’s clean record, his decades of service as a firefighter, and the emotional trauma that pushed him to commit the act.
In an unexpected act of mercy, the judge opted for leniency. Instead of sending him to prison, the court ordered the elderly man to undergo psychological counseling and therapy to address the stress and emotional strain that led to his impulsive decision. He was also instructed to compensate the supermarket for the damages and losses caused during the incident and was barred from returning to the shopping center in the future.
Furthermore, the court granted him legal permission to continue visiting his grandson in prison, ensuring that their bond could be maintained under safe and supervised conditions. The decision was widely praised by human rights advocates and mental health professionals, who saw it as a rare but humane example of justice taking emotional circumstances into account.
The story has since gone viral across French and international media, sparking conversations about loneliness among the elderly, family bonds, and the mental toll of separation. Many have described the man’s act as both heartbreaking and profound—a reminder that sometimes love can push people to take unimaginable risks, even if it means trading freedom for companionship.