Reported by WKYT News on January 29, 2015
It started with a complaint about a shoplifter, but it ended with an act of kindness. A London police officer took it upon himself to help a suspected shoplifter after realizing the man was in a difficult situation…. Roby was called to the Kroger on North Main Street in London on Saturday, Jan. 17 after a loss prevention officer stopped a man who was shoplifting. The suspect was a single father who had fallen on hard times, Roby said. The man was caught stealing baby formula for his six-month-old son, who was with him at the time. The store’s loss prevention officer told Roby he did not want to press charges, and Roby agreed…. But what Roby did next showed the shoplifter what it truly means ‘to protect and serve’ one’s community. He bought some formula himself, giving it to the man for his baby…. Roby also gave the man a message, saying he told the man there are a lot of people and organizations – including the police department – that are available to help those in need….