Close Ad

Police Officer Catches Two Women Shoplifting- Does This Instead Of Pressing Charges
Police Officer Catches Two Women Shoplifting- Has The Best Response After Hearing Their Story
Uplifting News

Police Officer Catches Two Women Shoplifting- Does This Instead Of Pressing Charges

A Somerset police officer responding to a shoplifting incident exemplified what it means to protect and serve the community.

Five days before Christmas, Officer Matt Lima responded to a shoplifting incident at a Stop & Shop grocery store in Somerset, Massachusetts. Store security informed the officer that two women with two young children didn’t scan everything that they put in their bags at a self-checkout register.

When Lima saw that there were two children with the women something didn’t sit right with him.

He put himself in their shoes

Lima pulled one of the women aside, while store employees kept the kids occupied, and learned that she was working but the mother of the children was not working and was experiencing some family issues.

“What she had taken was Christmas dinner for the kids,” Lima told WJAR News. "There was nothing else on there like health and beauty items, shampoo, anything like that. It was all food," he said.

Officer Lima served the two women with a notice not to trespass but did not press charges. Instead, he purchased them a $250 gift card so the family could buy groceries for their Christmas dinner at another Stop & Shop location.


I just did what I felt was right. It's not about me, I just tried to put myself in that family's shoes and show a little bit of empathy.

Matt Lima

Protecting and serving

Somerset Police Chief George McNeil said he's proud of Lima for making the right decision to help the family.

“This incident is a true testament of Officer Lima’s great character and decision-making,” he said in a statement. “His actions exemplify what it means to protect and serve the members of our community.”

I have two girls myself, similar on age to the two girls that were there, so it kind of struck me a little bit.

Matt Lima to WJAR News

A little empathy goes a long way

But what exactly is empathy? Empathy is stepping into the shoes of another person to help understand their feelings and actions and then using that understanding to guide your actions. Officer Lima’s generous actions remind us that it doesn’t take much to listen and empathize before we act.

More uplifting stories

Lead with empathy
"I do not ask the wounded person how he feels, I myself become the wounded person." – Walt Whitman

Hot Stories

Leonardo DiCaprio Told Kate Winslet To “Let The Fat Girl Thing Go”
Leo Dicaprio Told Kate Winslet To “Let The Fat Girl Thing Go” …

Forced to feel ashamed for her weight and appearance, Kate Winslet struggled with her body image for years. The media loved to tease her for being “the fat girl,” but there was ONE PERSON who saw the real her. What did Leo see in Kate? And what important message does Kate have for young women everywhere?


Keep ReadingShow less
Videos
Woman at a restaurant's window and two teen employees.

Teens Applauded For the Way They Handled This Angry Customer

Instagram/ @kekessnowballs

Working in customer service can be challenging, especially when you’re dealing with rude and demanding clients. That’s particularly true for some teens, who work these jobs for part-time money and are often bullied by adults. Perhaps that’s why people are applauding these teen girls for the way they expertly handled an over-the-top customer.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uplifting News
Elderly woman selling baking goods outside and an elderly woman with glasses.

Stranger's Video Helps Grandma Selling Baked Goods Go Viral

FOX13 News

Every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday without fail, Inez Hudson can be found stationed outside Super Choice Foods supermarket in Lakeland, Florida.

The 73-year-old woman sells homemade pies and cakes to support herself as her fixed income isn't enough to cover her living expenses.

She has her good days and bad days. That is, until now. Because thanks to the kindness of a stranger and the power of social media she just became a viral sensation. And now? Her baked goods are selling like hotcakes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uplifting News