SOMERSET, Massachusetts (AP) – A Massachusetts police officer refused to charge two women accused of trying to steal food for children – and instead paid for their Christmas dinner.
Somerset officer Matt Lima responded to a December 20 theft report at Stop & Shop, where two women with two young children were accused of putting groceries in bags at a self-pay kiosk without scanning.
The women said they had been through difficult times and were trying to arrange a Christmas dinner for the children. Lima says he remembered his own children and used his money to buy $ 250 in supermarket gift cards.
“Their actions exemplify what it means to protect and serve members of our community,” said Chief George McNeil on the department’s website.