Mom caught stealing eggs was waiting for cop to bring out the handcuffs—but he bought her a special gift
When we come across people who are in desperate need of help, the best thing we can do is offer help in the kindest ways without making them feel inadequate. Police officer William Stacy did just that, per AL news. The man was reported about a woman, Helen Johnson, who was caught stealing from a Dollar General store. The officer was expected to do one thing—deliver justice. And he did just that, but it didn’t involve handcuffs.
Johnson lives with two daughters, her niece and two toddler grandchildren. They got by with a $120 welfare check that came via mail every month. Unfortunately, the family’s check was lost in the mail one month and they were left in a dire state. After going without food for two days, the woman stepped into the store with $1.25 in hand, hoping to buy eggs. “I saw the staple on and said $1.75,” she recalled, per ABC 33/40. She then made the forceful decision to steal and took 5 eggs when a worker caught her. "Of course, when I put them in my jacket pocket, they broke. I'm not a good thief at all,” she remarked. The cops were called on her, but the officer was told by Dollar General officials that they wouldn’t press charges. Johnson wasn’t aware of the decision and feared prison time.
“I waited, I thought, ‘Well, I'm going to jail,’” she recounted. However, that wasn’t the case. A video captured by shopper Robert Tripp revealed how Officer Stacy delivered justice. “I was in Tarrant city today and a lady was caught red-handed stealing eggs. Instead of the cop taking her to jail, he bought the items she was stealing and gave them to her,” the caption of the post read. The video reveals the officer handing over a yellow bag while Johnson looks at him grateful yet shocked. She even gives him a big hug in appreciation for his generosity and kindness.
“When she started crying, she said, ‘I just need help, I need help Officer Stacy. I need to put food in my babies’ stomachs,' that's what got to me. That's what that's what hit me the hardest,” the officer noted. He asked the woman to wait in the parking lot and returned with not 5 but a dozen eggs he purchased for her family. Officer Stacy’s kindness sowed the seed for something more generous. Several people came together and donated loads of food and essentials for the family.
The officer reconnected with Johnson at her home to surprise her with the items. “This is not food, this is like Mana from Heaven. This is the best thing that has ever happened to us,” she remarked. She added that the last time she’d seen her house full and in abundance was when she was a 12-year-old. “I just did my job, I was doing what I was supposed to do—serving. We’re all not crooked individuals looking to beat up somebody or kill somebody, that's not what we swore to do, that's not why we wear this badge every day,” he mentioned.