by Louisiana – A Louisiana mother of three has become an unexpected local hero after she helped a police officer chase down a suspected shoplifter — by offering him a ride in her car during a fast-moving incident outside a department store.
The incident unfolded on Saturday at a Dillard’s store in Slidell, when Sgt. Jeff Kahrs of the Slidell Police Department was alerted to a shoplifting in progress.
According to police, the suspect — 34-year-old Kelsey Baird of Navarre, Florida — spotted Kahrs as he entered the store and dropped the items she was allegedly trying to steal before bolting for the parking lot. She then jumped into a getaway car driven by her boyfriend, 43-year-old Eric Boudreaux, of Biloxi, Mississippi.
A Chase and a Quick-Thinking Samaritan
Body camera footage shows Sgt. Kahrs chasing the suspect on foot as she fled into the waiting vehicle. Just as the car sped off, a woman driving by pulled over and shouted:
“Want to hop in?”
Without hesitation, Kahrs accepted — jumping into the good Samaritan’s car as she sped after the fleeing suspects.
“The citizen-officer duo safely followed the suspects, while Sgt. Kahrs gave a play-by-play to responding officers via his police radio,” the Slidell Police Department said in a statement.
Moments later, backup officers intercepted the suspects and took them into custody.
Suspects Charged
Both Baird and Boudreaux were charged with theft and resisting an officer by flight, while Baird faces an additional meth possession charge, according to police.
Honoring the Hero Mom
On Tuesday, the police department officially identified the good Samaritan as Lesli Smith, a lifelong Slidell resident and mother of three, and presented her with the department’s Citizenship Award during a ceremony with Police Chief Daniel Seuzeneau and Mayor Randy Fandal.
“All I was thinking at the time was, ‘How could I help?’” Smith said at the event.
She added that after dropping Sgt. Kahrs off to apprehend the suspects, she calmly made a U-turn and went back to shopping at TJ Maxx.
Chief Seuzeneau praised Smith’s quick thinking and community spirit:
“People like you are the reason why Slidell is a great place to live and work,” he said. “Without hesitation, you assisted one of our officers — expecting nothing in return.”
Message to Would-Be Thieves
The police chief also issued a strong warning to anyone considering theft in Slidell:
“We will do whatever it takes to catch you and fully prosecute you. Stay out of our city.”
As for Smith, she says she’s just grateful to live in a community where citizens and police work together.
“I was so impressed by the officers’ professionalism and teamwork,” she told reporters. “I just wanted to help however I could.”
What do you think about citizens stepping in to help law enforcement in the moment? Share your thoughts in the comments at mikeandjonpodcast.com.
