Image copyright TORONTO POLICE SERVICE Image caption Toronto police Constable Niran Jeyanesan says the teenager called him to say the outfit had worked
Last Monday, a shoplifter in Toronto was caught stealing an outfit for a job interview. But when Constable Niran Jeyanesan arrived to arrest him, he was moved by the 18-year-old's story and decided to buy him the clothes instead.
Now the officer has revealed that the young man got the job, and will begin work next week.
"He is starting Monday," Mr Jeyanesan told Canada's CP24 by email.
"He told me he actually wore the shirt and the tie - I'm just so happy!"
Speaking last week, the officer said Walmart staff had apprehended the would-be thief for attempting to steal a dress shirt, tie and socks.
"This young person has been facing his own difficulties in life and he was looking to straighten out all that by providing for his family and trying to get a job," Mr Jeyanesan said.
"This individual didn't have any resources.
"He wanted to go get that job. That was in his mind. I think he truly made a mistake."
The teenager had told the officer that his father was sick, and that the family had suffered difficult times as a result.
Constable Jeyanesan said that thanks to "some friends who were willing to help out", the elder man is now employed as well.
Speaking to the BBC on 7 August, Mr Jeyanesan's staff sergeant Paul Bois praised his actions.
"Arresting him [the 18-year-old] wouldn't have been in the best interests of anyone," he said.
"I reacted very positively to the news; all issues were resolved by the action the officer took.
"It reiterates our goal of being positive role models in the community."
theabdi on June 17th, 2018 at 17:22 UTC »
Canadian here. A few years ago, while I was in 2nd year of University, and depressed without many friends was struggling with extremely heavy groceries while walking. A guy with his son, offered to help me by dropping me off, I was a little surprised but said why not. He was extremely kind and talked to me the whole way, when we got to the front of my building I thanked him and he told me no problem but to pay it forward the next time I saw somebody struggling. And it always stuck with me years later, human kindness is definitely an underrated thing
paregoric_kid on June 17th, 2018 at 16:02 UTC »
If anyone is thinking of doing this check out what resources your city/town has. My wife needed clothes for a job interview a few years ago when I shattered my ankle. That was 7 weeks out of work for me. Our local Opportunity Council gave her money for that. You have to jump through a few hoops but when you're you really need it I thank my lucky stars that it was there.
Edit: autocorrect
Tyranticx on June 17th, 2018 at 14:16 UTC »
"Arresting him [the 18-year-old] wouldn't have been in the best interests of anyone," he said.
I wish more police made decisions using this reasoning. He saw a problem, he solved it and no one had to be punished; that's a win-win to me.