Ever wonder what our grandparents would think if they knew some of things young people do today? While it’s true that the majority of young people are good citizens, it takes only one hellion like Cornelius to upset the norm.

Cornelius? Yes. Last fall he became a one-man crime wave, charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault, sexual assault of a teenaged girl, and multiple counts of burglary. These charges are all felonies. Cornelius, a lad of only 17, must answer charges in adult court — as well he should.

What makes this kid’s crimes so bad is that the armed robbery case involves two elderly women attacked in their home out in the country. Cornelius held a knife to the throat of the younger woman demanding money and the keys to her car. The younger woman is 71. Meanwhile, the victim’s terrified mother stood by helplessly. Mother is 94.

Imagine, stealing a car from these ladies. Cornelius couldn’t find the key to the ignition. He came back into the house flashing his knife again, demanding a key.

What probably saved the day was the arrival of a man who routinely checks up on the old ladies. But Cornelius, in his stupid bravado, was unimpressed by the new arrival. He went after the man with his knife. At least he did until the man reached for the shotgun he keeps in his pickup.

The 17-year-old hoodlum retreated back into the house and moments later fled through a rear door. As he went out the back door the women ran out the front door.

So terrifying was this ordeal that the two old ladies dared not stay in their home, fearful the knife-wielding hoodlum might come back.

They did the only thing they could think of — they hid out. Not in their house, but huddled together outside, in a corn patch, until a friend and neighbor called out to them, coaxing them back into the warmth of their home.