Mayor Richard J. Berry recognized on Friday two Albuquerque Police Detectives for rescuing a grocery store employee who was being attacked by an armed shoplifter.
Mayor Richard J. Berry recognized on Friday two Albuquerque Police Detectives for rescuing a grocery store employee who was being attacked by an armed shoplifter.
This week’s Friday’s Heroes are detectives Rich Hilger and Christine Frank. Each week Mayor Berry recognizes at least one public safety employee for going beyond the call of duty.
“The quick action taken by these officers undoubtedly prevented this woman from being seriously injured,” Mayor Berry said. “This incident shows that our officers are always ready to answer the call for help, even when they are off-duty.”
On Nov. 11, both detectives were off-duty when they stopped at a Smith’s grocery store in the 8000 block of Academy NE. As Detective Hilger was getting out of his car, he saw several Smith’s employees running across the parking lot.
Both detectives saw Smith’s employee, Theresa Chavez, attempting to take the shopping cart full of groceries away from a woman who had just stolen the items from the store.
As both women were fighting over the shopping cart, the suspect opened a folding knife and threatened Chavez.
Both detectives identified themselves as Albuquerque police officers. Hilger also drew his off-duty gun while both officers ordered the suspect to drop the knife.
It took several attempts from both detectives to convince the suspect to drop the weapon.
Afterwards, Detective Hilger escorted the suspect to the manager’s office, where they waited for other officers to arrive. While waiting, Detective Hilger found a crack pipe in the suspect’s pocket.
