Ala. Police Officer Buys Eggs for Grandmother Who Stole Them to Feed Hungry Kids

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

http://www.theroot.com/articles/culture/2014/12/ala_police_officer_buys_eggs_for_grandmother_who_stole_them_to_feed_hungry.html?wpisrc=mostpopular

It was an act of desperation that caused 47-year-old Helen Johnson to shove five eggs in her pocket. Her family had already gone for two days without food on Saturday when she went to Dollar General in Tarrant, Ala. She had $1.25 but ended up being short 50 cents plus tax, AL.com reports.

So she took the eggs, but they broke in her jacket pocket, and she was caught.

"You know what they say about karma, right? Of course when I put them in my jacket pocket, they broke,'' Johnson said. "I'm not a good thief at all."

When a store worker confronted her, she admitted to the theft and learned that the police were already on the way. Johnson expected to be carted off in handcuffs, but unbeknownst to her, the responding police officer, William Stacy, had already spoken to the store officials, and Dollar General said that it would not press charges.

What happened next truly shocked Johnson: Officer Stacy went and bought the eggs for her.

"She started crying; she got very emotional and was very apologetic,'' Stacy said. "She tried to give me the money she had on her, $1.25."

He did, however, extract compensation—in the form of making Johnson promise not to shoplift again.

"Sometimes the best route is to not arrest,'' Stacy said. "I hope she won't do it again. I pray she doesn't, and I don't think she will."

"I was like, 'Oh my God, thank you Jesus for this man,' '' Johnson said. "He is my hero.

"I was just getting eggs, and now that's saved my life,'' she told the news site. "I've never been more grateful in my life. I'm so overwhelmed with the goodness of these people."

[LibCampFireClub 635]

To see stories of people helping people can be reaffirming of life:

[Karee 4,190]

They should've taken Ms. Johnson to the town square, hung her upside down by her feet, and let all the kids in town throw those eggs at her to teach her a lesson.

Merry Christmas.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

They should've taken Ms. Johnson to the town square, hung her upside down by her feet, and let all the kids in town throw those eggs at her to teach her a lesson.

Merry Christmas.

Someone didn't get a red ryder bb gun for Christmas.

[decocker 7,198]

and then ms johnson can do some time for the kids' egging (criminal mischief, misdemeanor).

[Karee 4,190]

Someone didn't get a red ryder bb gun for Christmas.

[lostinblue 1,989]

The mother and father must have been too busy working overtime to get to the store and get groceries .

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Heard they're trying to remake a Christmas Story. I will burn this place down if that happens.

[decocker 7,198]

Heard they're trying to remake a Christmas Story. I will burn this place down if that happens.

one day i will have my very own lifesize leg lamp in my living room, until then my miniature will have to do.

[Operator 1,927]

one day i will have my very own lifesize leg lamp in my living room, until then my miniature will have to do.

Save up for the authentic Italian one!

Regarding the OP, the first thing that bothers me is that she is a 47 year old grandmother. I know, I know what does that have to do with anything? I just think that 47 is too damn young to be a grandparent. There should be a minimum age requirement, like 55.

To damn close to home.

[khwaidee1 196]

The mother and father must have been too busy working overtime to get to the store and get groceries .

Doesn't sound like they were working much over time, let alone straight time.

"Johnson's two daughters, a niece and two grandchildren, ages 1 and 3, live with her in their Tarrant home. The kids' mother gets a welfare check - $120 a month - but that check was lost in the mail. Johnson herself gets a disability check, which is set to come this week."

And where's the dad and grandfather then?

[Rob L 3,811]

one day i will have my very own lifesize leg lamp in my living room, until then my miniature will have to do.

Mr. Parker: [after Mother "accidentally" breaks the Old Man's leg lamp] Don't you touch that! You were always jealous of this lamp.

Mother: Jealous of a plastic...

Mr. Parker: Jealous! Jealous because I WON.

Mother: That's ridiculous. Jealous. Jealous of WHAT? That is... the ugliest lamp I have ever seen in my entire LIFE!

Ralphie as Adult: [narrating] Now it was out

[decocker 7,198]

Save up for the authentic Italian one!

Regarding the OP, the first thing that bothers me is that she is a 47 year old grandmother. I know, I know what does that have to do with anything? I just think that 47 is too damn young to be a grandparent. There should be a minimum age requirement, like 55.

To damn close to home.

no way. kitsch should always be cheap.

i'm sure any 47 year old grand mother agrees with you.

Mr. Parker: [after Mother "accidentally" breaks the Old Man's leg lamp] Don't you touch that! You were always jealous of this lamp.

Mother: Jealous of a plastic...

Mr. Parker: Jealous! Jealous because I WON.

Mother: That's ridiculous. Jealous. Jealous of WHAT? That is... the ugliest lamp I have ever seen in my entire LIFE!

Ralphie as Adult: [narrating] Now it was out

my lamp is my prized possession. it's fragile for godsake.

[Glyn and Kathy 288]

Doesn't sound like they were working much over time, let alone straight time.

"Johnson's two daughters, a niece and two grandchildren, ages 1 and 3, live with her in their Tarrant home. The kids' mother gets a welfare check - $120 a month - but that check was lost in the mail. Johnson herself gets a disability check, which is set to come this week."

And where's the dad and grandfather then?

Probably absent like many parents. Sad that a grandmother is put in the position of having to steal to feed her family. Hopefully someone has put her in touch with a food bank.

[lostinblue 1,989]

Lost in the mail .......You would think the government could do better at their mail delivery. service. .