Officer buys groceries for 91-year-old woman who had wallet stolen at Publix

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – When a 91-year-old woman was the victim of a distraction theft while shopping at Publix, a Boynton Beach Police officer went the extra mile to make sure the woman wouldn't be left without groceries.

The victim was shopping in the produce section Saturday when one man distracted her so his accomplice could steal her wallet from her purse, police said.

When Officer Janelle Jumelles arrived at the scene, she knew she had to help the victim.

"How much groceries did you want to get?" Jumelles asked.

The officer spoke to a manager and told him she wanted to pay for the victim's groceries so that the woman could go home. Publix offered to buy the woman's food, but Jumelles insisted that she would take care of it.

The woman was initially hesitant to accept the kind deed.

"But it's so expensive," she said.

With Jumelles' reassurance, the woman agreed. She cried tears of joy as she hugged the officer to thank her for her help.

After they left the store, Jumelles helped the woman cancel her credit cards. She later returned to the woman's home with officer Evan Esteve and gave the woman a Publix gift card since her food stamps were also stolen.

Once again, the woman was overcome with gratitude.

"Thank you so much, God bless both of you," she said.