A 46-year-old preschool teacher has received the Slidell Police Department’s Citizen Award for helping officers catch a suspected shoplifter. Police Chief Daniel Seuzeneau says Lesli Smith offered a ride to Sergeant Jeff Kahrs after the suspect fled a department store in a getaway car.
“Without hesitation, Sergeant Kahrs graciously accepted Miss Lesli’s offer. And in that very moment, Miss Leslie Smith became one of the newest recruits of the Slidell Police Department,” Seuzeneau said.
Officer Kahrs accepted the ride and coached Smith during the police chase. At the same time, Kahrs was telling other patrol units where the suspects were headed, and they were eventually caught. Seuzeneau says once Smith committed her good deed, she returned to her role as private citizen.
“Not only did she assist Sergeant Kahrs in a time of need, she thanked him for his service. As he jumped out of her car, she drove off and went about her business, went back shopping. Just another day in a life of Miss Lesli,” Seuzeneau said.
Smith is a lifelong Slidell resident and the mother of three says she was glad to help her town’s police department that works so hard to keep their community safe.
“And it was so quick that they were at the corner of the light and arrested, and life just went back to normal. I made a U-turn and went right back to TJ Maxx, and went shopping,” Smith said.
A 34-year-old woman from Florida is accused of taking items from Dillard’s store and her boyfriend, a 43-year-old man in Biloxi, was arrested for assisting in the theft as he was the getaway driver. The female was also charged for being in possession of meth.
