Massachusetts police officer praised for serving Christmas dinner for two women accused of stealing groceries for their children
SOMERSET, Mass. – A Massachusetts police officer refused to accuse two women of stealing groceries for the children – and bought them a Christmas dinner instead.
Somerset officer Matt Lima responded to a report of shoplifting on Dec. 20 at Stop & Shop, where two women with two young children were accused of putting groceries in bags at a cash register without scanning them.
The women said they were struggling and tried to get the children a Christmas dinner. Lima says he was reminded of his own children and used his own money to buy $ 250 worth of gift cards.
“His actions illustrate what it means to protect and serve the members of our community,” Chief George McNeil said on the department’s website.