Officer Buys Homeless Suspect Food Before Arrest

A police officer in Manchester, New Hampshire, bought food for a homeless and hungry suspect before placing her under arrest on theft charges.

A police officer in Manchester, New Hampshire, bought food for a homeless and hungry suspect before placing her under arrest on theft charges.

Around 8:30 a.m. Friday, police responded to the report of a stolen purse including an iPhone, wallet and credit cards at 55 Calef Road. The suspect vehicle was located in the McDonald's parking lot on South Willow Street.

The passenger of the vehicle, 20-year-old Holly Sloans, was found inside the restaurant. Officers say Sloans told them she was desperate and hungry, and had been living in the vehicle with her boyfriend.

After police gained probable cause to arrest Sloans due to locating the stolen purse in the vehicle, Officer Lisa Mackey bought the suspect food and allowed her to eat before placing her under arrest for receiving stolen property.

"I only bought her a sandwich," said Mackey, according to a Manchester Police statement. "So it really isn't a big deal."

Mackey has been with the department since 2003. Before joining Manchester Police, she worked nine years in Goffstown. She plans to retire next month.

Sloans was set free on $2,000 bail and will appear in court on March 19.

A needle was visible in plain sight when officers initially approached the vehicle, according to police. The vehicle operator, later identified as 22-year-old Christopher Greene, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled drug. He was released on $1,000 bail and will appear in court on March 20.

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