TAMPA - A woman caught taking about $70 worth of items at a Sweetbay Supermarket last week said she did it for her children.
So instead of arresting her, a Tampa police officer paid for the diapers, formula and other baby care products the woman was accused of taking. He even threw in a couple of sandwiches.
"It was something that needed to be done," Cpl. Vince Sallimo said. "Those kids were without food. I just wanted to help."
The woman said her husband was being deported, and now suddenly caring for her children alone, she didn't have the means to afford the items.
When Sallimo and two other officers were called to the store at 4056 N. Armenia Ave. about 10 a.m. on July 21, the woman told them she had just been evicted and was living with friends.
It also appeared she took care of her daughters, who were about 1 and 3 years old, because their clothes were clean and their hair was well-groomed, Sallimo said.
Officers noticed the woman tried to take only baby products—no steaks, beer or other extravagant items—factors that Sallimo said made him want to help her.
Because of the woman's circumstances, Sweetbay did not to press charges, spokeswoman Nicole LeBeau said.
The woman, whose name was not available because she was not arrested and a report was not filed, was given a trespass warning.
LeBeau said she would like to work with the Tampa Police Department and other local agencies to collect donations for struggling families.
Because of the economy, officers have arrested in the past few months an increasing number of people accused of shoplifting baby products and other necessities, spokeswoman Andrea Davis said.
Sallimo said he hopes the woman's fortunes will turn.
"In my opinion, our chief would've done the same thing," Sallimo said about helping the family. "I think it's something we all would do."
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