Officers buy jacket, snow pants for freezing shoplifting suspect

Washington state police buy homeless shoplifter jacket, snow pants amid freezing temps

Officers with the Redmond WA Police Department purchased a jacket and snow pants for a homeless man who was detained for shoplifting at a local Target. Officers didn't want the man to "freeze to death" amid cold temperatures. (Credit: Redmond WA Police)

A homeless man who attempted to shoplift from a Target in Washington state received some kindness and much-needed medical attention from officers.

The unidentified man was detained outside the store on Dec. 27, 2025 after he was found with stolen clothes and had an outstanding warrant for theft, according to a Facebook post made by the Redmond WA Police Department.

FILE - Still image taken from body cam footage showing officers giving jacket and snowpants to homeless person who shoplifted from a Target. (Credit: Redmond WA Police)

Dig deeper:

The man told officers that he had a painful hand infection and the antibiotics that were prescribed to him were stolen. 

Officers had the man treated at a local hospital and knowing that he was homeless, decided to purchase him a jacket and snow pants, knowing "he would likely be released back into cold conditions," the department said. 

In the video, one of the officers can be heard saying they didn’t want the man "freezing to death." 

What they're saying:

"While officers made it clear that theft is still illegal and the case will proceed in court, this moment highlights an important balance of holding people accountable and recognizing their immediate human needs," the post continued.

The clothes were purchased using funds provided by the BlueBridge Alliance, a non-profit organization that helps law enforcement agencies connect with its community.