Good Samaritan Celebrated for Assisting Police in Shoplifting Chase
A mother of three from Louisiana was recognized on Tuesday for her bravery in helping police apprehend a shoplifting suspect over the weekend.
The incident unfolded Saturday at a Dillard’s store in Slidell, where Jeff Carrs was observed engaging in shoplifting. As Kelsey Baird, a 34-year-old from Navarre, Florida, noticed Carrs enter the store, she discarded the items she had reportedly attempted to steal.
In a panic, when Carrs tried to stop Baird from leaving, she dashed across the parking lot and jumped into a vehicle that her boyfriend, Eric Boudreau, was driving.
Onlookers captured footage showing Carrs pursuing Baird as she escaped in the waiting car. In an unexpected twist, a bystander stopped and offered the officer a ride, saying, “Do you want to jump in?”
Carrs accepted the ride, quickly getting into the car to help navigate in the pursuit. A mix of civilians and police chased after the suspect, with Carrs using the police radio to direct responding officers.
Not long after, backup arrived, aiding in the arrest of both Baird and Boudreau. They faced several charges, including theft and resisting arrest. Baird also faced an additional charge for possession of methamphetamine.
Police Chief Daniel Suznow expressed his gratitude towards the Good Samaritans who assisted during the chase. “It’s people like you who make Slidell a wonderful place to live and work,” he remarked, acknowledging their selfless actions.
On Tuesday, the bystander was identified as Leslie Smith, a resident of Slidell, and was awarded the Citizen’s Award by local police and Mayor Randy Fandal at a ceremony.
Smith, who is a lifelong resident of the area, shared her thought process during the event. “All I could think was, ‘How can I help?’” she reflected, noting her admiration for the police’s responsive action regarding the shoplifting incident.
After aiding in the arrest, she humorously mentioned she made a quick U-turn back to her shopping at TJ Maxx, highlighting the event’s unexpected turn. In a prior statement, Chief Suznow warned potential thieves to reconsider, making it very clear, “We will do whatever it takes to pursue and fully prosecute you. Stay away from our city.”
