An off-duty school resource officer stopped an alleged robbery at Northwoods Mall in North Charleston, South Carolina. The incident happened around 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, near one of the mall’s entrances.
According to the North Charleston Police Department, the officer was not working at the time but noticed a man who looked suspicious. Reports say the man was wearing dark clothing and had his face covered. He was reportedly trying to rob a store inside the mall.
The officer stepped in quickly, confronted the man, and managed to detain him until other officers arrived.
No injuries were reported, and the situation was brought under control without any major issues. The police praised the officer’s actions, saying his quick thinking may have prevented something worse from happening.
Investigators have not yet shared the name of the suspect or the exact charges he may face. However, police say the investigation is ongoing. Mall security and law enforcement are now reviewing surveillance footage to get more details about the incident.
Many shoppers were surprised by what happened, but were thankful for the officer’s presence. Some witnesses said they didn’t realize anything was going on until they saw police arriving at the scene.
Northwoods Mall has not released a statement yet, but officials say the mall remained open after the incident. The off-duty officer is being recognized for his calm and professional handling of the situation, even while off the clock.
This event has raised discussions about the importance of having trained officers nearby, even when they’re not officially working.