A Saturday afternoon at a Louisiana department store transformed into a high-speed chase, but not in the way anyone expected. Sergeant Jeff Kahrs of the Slidell Police Department responded to a shoplifting call at Dillard’s, quickly spotting a suspect attempting to conceal stolen merchandise.
The suspect, identified as Kelsey Baird, panicked when she saw the officer approaching. She abandoned the stolen items and bolted for the parking lot, where a getaway car driven by her boyfriend, Eric Boudreaux, awaited.
Bodycam footage captured the dramatic scene as Kahrs pursued Baird on foot, watching as she leaped into the vehicle and sped away. The officer, determined to stop the fleeing suspects, continued the chase, but found himself quickly outpaced.
Then, an extraordinary act of kindness unfolded. A local woman, driving through the parking lot, noticed the officer’s struggle and pulled over, offering him a ride. “Want to hop in?” she asked, extending an unexpected lifeline.
Without hesitation, Kahrs accepted the offer, and the unlikely duo embarked on a pursuit, navigating the streets of Slidell while the officer relayed crucial information to responding units via his radio. They followed the suspects, maintaining a safe distance until backup arrived.
Police swiftly apprehended Baird and Boudreaux, charging them with theft and resisting arrest. Baird also faced an additional charge of meth possession. The quick capture was a direct result of the citizen’s selfless intervention.
Slidell Police Chief Daniel Seuzeneau publicly praised the woman’s bravery and community spirit, stating that individuals like her are the foundation of a thriving city. Her willingness to help, without expecting anything in return, exemplified the best of Slidell.
The good Samaritan was later identified as Lesli Smith, a lifelong resident and mother of three. She was honored with the Citizenship Award during a ceremony attended by police officers and Slidell Mayor Randy Fandal.
Smith explained that her only thought in the moment was how she could assist the officer. She also expressed deep admiration for the police department’s dedication and swift response. After dropping off Sergeant Kahrs, she remarkably returned to her own shopping trip at TJ Maxx.
Chief Seuzeneau issued a stern warning to potential criminals, declaring that Slidell would not tolerate theft and that those who preyed on local businesses would be relentlessly pursued and prosecuted. The message was clear: stay out of Slidell.
