Why Did A Cop Pay For The Items A Woman Shoplifted?

When a New Hampshire policeman responded to a call about a shoplifter, he did something totally unexpected. The officer paid for the items the woman had stolen.  Michael Kotsonis investigated the theft and went to the woman's home to recover the items, and make an arrest. The Portsmouth Herald reports, Kotsonis got a surprise when he arrived at the woman's home.

It turns out, the woman had stolen ingredients for a birthday cake for her daughter. Kotsonis went to the store, and paid for the stolen items. A store employee notified the newspaper of his gesture.