Cops Confront Homeless Man Stealing Socks, End Up Paying for Them Instead

In such a dark, twisted world, we sometimes forget that good still exists.

But people have a way of reminding us of the kindness humanity seemingly lost long ago — people like Christopher Cartwright and Jason Velez, police officers in Mount Vernon, New York.

Cartwright and Velez were dispatched to a local Dollar Tree store to apprehend a possible shoplifter on May 1, but their next move proved shocking to everyone.

The Mount Vernon Police Department’s Facebook video taken from one officer’s body camera shows the officers approaching the shoplifting suspect while he was still in the store.

They soon learned their person of interest was no typical criminal, but rather a homeless man looking for socks.

Cartwright spoke with the store’s manager and determined the best outcome for the situation wouldn’t be what was initially expected.

In a gesture of compassion, he agreed to purchase $15 worth of socks for the suspect instead of making an arrest.

Velez also advised the man to “respond to Police Headquarters and he could get assistance with possibly getting some services he may be in need of,” according to the department’s post.

The store manager also asked that the man tell her if he ever needs help again.

The man thanked them for their kindness before they parted ways.