Off duty DA investigator thwarts shoplifter at Black Lightning Motorcycle Cafe

DA investigator Tom Cooke was at the BLMC in Old Town. What should have been a coffee run turned into a good deed and he helped thwart an attempted shoplifter.

No arrest. Tom tracked the shoplifter down to the bus stop near Lost Coast Brewery and recovered stolen goods.

The man in question wanders around Old Town with a haircut like Don King so store owners, be on the lookout.

Tom is a friend of mine and Jeff is one of my favorite local business owners.

I spoke with BLMC owner Jeff Hesseltine. The man in question, identified by both Jeff and Tom as Jerry, came in purchased a drink and sat down. He was looking at some T-shirts. No one was paying attention until Tom saw him put something under his jacket. Tom notified Jeff.

While Tom was talking to Jeff, Jerry left the cafe. Jeff checked his video and tracked Jerry down near Old Town Coffee. He asked Jerry if he had taken something. Jerry denied it, even emptied his pockets. Jeff returned to the store and Tom stuck to his story. Jeff checked his video again, he saw Jerry tuck something under his arm and inside his jacket.

Tom asked Jeff if he wanted him to track Jerry down. Tom then rode his motorcycle, spotted Jerry near the Brewery, asked him again about the alleged theft and informed him they had him on surveilance. Tom told Jerry, "I could arrest you or you could return the stolen goods"

At this point Jerry fessed up and returned what he had shoplifted.

No arrest, no paperwork on something that probably would have had no jail time, and hopefully Jerry will think twice before shoplifting.

Kudos to those businesses that have surveillance and to Tom for stepping in and doing the right thing.

"We need to take our streets back," Tom.