The Slidell Police Department gave its "Citizenship Award" on Tuesday to a St. Tammany resident and preschool teacher who assisted a police officer chasing suspects in a shoplifting incident that garnered heavy media attention over the weekend.

The resident, Leslie Smith, 46, was in her car in the Fremaux Town Center shopping area's parking lot on Saturday when she saw Slidell Police Sgt. Jeff Kahrs pursuing someone who had allegedly tried to steal a Michael Koors bag and two Coach purses worth a total of $581.80 from the Dillard's department store.

The suspect had discarded the items after Kahrs noticed her, police said, and tried to flee the store.

Kahrs, who was working a security detail at the store, pursued Baird on foot until Baird got into a car with another person and drove off.

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