Awesome - Cop's Puzzling Response To Shoplifters Leaves Store Owner Dumbfounded
When a pair of holiday shoppers were caught stealing at a Somerset, Massachusetts Stop & Shop, they had no idea what their fate was going to be — fines? Jail time? An embarrassing slap on the wrist? When the store clerk called the police, the shoplifters thought they were done for. But the actual response left the store owner dumbfounded!
Stop & Shop
It happened at a Stop & Shop supermarket in Somerset, Massachusetts, just five days before Christmas in 2020. That night, two women entered with the intent to make Christmas happen for their families...no matter what the cost.
Caught Red Handed
Instead of scanning all of their items at self-checkout, the women began placing some in bags without scanning — stealing, in other words. They almost got away with it...until they were caught and sent to a loss prevention associate.
Calling The Cops
The women tried to explain what they were doing, but the loss prevention associate didn't listen. All the associate saw was two women stealing merchandise, so he did what he was trained for and immediately called the police. Minutes later, Officer Matthew Lima responded.
Evidence
Officer Lima showed up to find that the two women accused of stealing weren't alone. With them were two young children. Officer Lima soon discovered that the women couldn't contest the theft charges even if they wanted to because their receipt showed several missing items.
Side Talk
Unlike the loss prevention associate, Officer Lima refused to jump to conclusions. Instead, he took the two women aside and offered them a chance to explain themselves. He had no idea what he was about to hear and how it would permanently alter his perspective.
Working Mother
"The woman I talked to, she explained she was working,” Officer Lima said, “but the mother of the children was not working and had some other family issues going on and that what she had taken was Christmas dinner for the kids."
Father of Two
Officer Lima knew the struggle of making ends meet, and it helped him make the right decision in the moment. "I have two girls myself, similar in age to the two girls that were there, so it kind of struck me a little bit," he said.
All Groceries
After taking a peek at their cart, Officer Lima saw that most of their items were simply groceries. No electronics or expensive items in sight, just two mothers trying to feed their family during the holidays. He found himself feeling compassion for them, even if the store itself did not.
Banned
Though Officer Lima still hadn't decided whether he was going to arrest the women or not, that branch of Stop & Shop banned them for life. Under no circumstances were they allowed to ever shop there again, but Officer Lima had an idea.
Unjustified
He’d been called to neutralize the situation, but Officer Lima couldn’t justify turning these hungry women into criminals. How would that neutralize anything? With this in mind, Lima made a decision that would end up being nothing short of a Christmas miracle.
Obviously In Need
"Obviously, this family was in need and I can't imagine having to make the decision to go to Stop & Shop and just only pay for what I can afford — or do I go there and try to take things for Christmas dinner for the kids?" Officer Lima's head spun just thinking about it.
No Charges
So instead of pressing criminal charges, Officer Lima gifted the women a $250 gift card. That way, they could visit any other Stop & Shop and ensure full pantries for the holidays. Though this meant putting his own job on the line, the family's reactions to Lima's deed made it worth it.
Thankful
Officer Lima said the women were shocked and thankful. “I'm sure a lot of people in that same situation would be thinking that there was going to be a different outcome, and maybe they would be arrested or have to go to court,” he continued. It's actually Lima who feared getting into trouble...
Hungry Americans
Lima knew it was his job to enforce the law, but he couldn't help but think of the countless other families struggling to survive. After all, other versions of this story happen every day. In fact, over 50 million Americans are likely to experience food insecurity by the end of 2020, according to Feeding America.
Corona's Impact
On top of already-unequal access to food and resources, the coronavirus pandemic has made it even harder for families to keep food on the table, leaving almost 17 million children hungry. You may think food banks should solve this problem, but as Lima knew, they're not always the best option.
Not Enough Food
Food banks attempt to fix the situation, but they’re more like a Band-Aid. Not only does charity food constantly run out, but the food is never very fresh or nutritious. Millions of Americans find themselves looking elsewhere for basic nutrition; luckily, public servants like Officer Lima are sometimes there to help, even at their own risk.
Chief's Approval
Technically, Officer Lima broke protocol by not charging these women with theft. It wouldn't have been unreasonable for Lima's boss to suspend him or worse. In the end, though, while the store clerk might have been annoyed, Lima's police chief felt otherwise.
Right Decision
George McNeil, Somerset's Police Chief, said that he was proud of Officer Lima for making the right decision. “I would like to personally commend Officer Lima for his actions,” McNeil said in a statement. According to the chief, Lima's actions "exemplify what it means to protect and serve."
Community Leader
“When faced with a difficult situation in which a family was trying to provide a meal for their kids, he made the generous decision to not press charges and instead ensured that they would have a Christmas dinner they could enjoy," McNeil said. With that, he called Lima with the good news.
Rethinking Duty
When Officer Lima put on his badge the next morning, he wasn’t thinking about which poor soul he was going to book into prison. Instead, he rethought his duty and chose to help his community when they needed it most. Now that’s what we call public service...
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