Charity Plue got to shake the hand of Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard because she took a bite out of crime.
Plue and dozens of other citizens from across the county received Civilian Citations Friday for helping out.
The Oxford resident can remember the event which led to the award.
‘It was just a casual day,? Plue began.
It was near closing time at the Dollar General in Oxford Township and she was watching the register while the cashier went to lunch.
A gentleman came in and Plue noticed he was acting a little odd. She kept her guard up just in case.
‘He wasn’t a regular and he seemed kind of drunk. I could smell alcohol on him and I just knew something wasn’t right and then it all happened.?
What happened was the man purchased an item and reached into the cash drawer.
Plue pushed the drawer shut on his hand, but he managed to escape with some cash.
‘I chased him outside while I was on the phone with the dispatcher,? she continued. ‘I gave her an idea of the description of his car.?
His license plate was covered with a piece of paper and it was the only detail Plue couldn’t give.
She told them the direction he drove in and the police pulled him over ten miles down the road as he was making his way to Pontiac.
‘I guess he had come from that area,? she said. ‘The cops told me they had issues with people coming up from there, robbing people and businesses, and then heading home.?
The officers took Plue to where they had the suspect pulled over for identification purposes. She identified him again during a photo lineup.
Plue felt good about receiving the award after the event on March 3, 2008.
‘I didn’t do anything except what I was supposed to do – call.?
Plue was recognized for her quick thinking and calmness during a robbery, said Undersheriff Mike McCabe.
‘I greatly appreciate it because I live in the township,? he added.
Bouchard added a congratulations to all of the honorees and thanked them.
‘We couldn’t do our job without you,? he said. ‘We really need the eyes and ears of the citizens.?