Sangamon County residents are demanding answers pertaining to a Springfield Illinois officer allegedly allowing a lost and elderly couple to drive away even though the couple "didn't know their names or who they were." The couple also had "no clue where they were or why they were there".
This incident had a high probability of ending badly if Good Samaritans hadn't intervened.
A very distressed and elderly couple went to a local business last night expressing they were lost. The female was crying and told employees that she didn't know who they were or where they were. She said she didn't know where they lived. She stated they were lost and they didn't know where they needed to be.
The couple did arrive in a vehicle, with the distraught woman driving.
The manager of the business, Cindy Lyn, and the employees of the business, were understandably very worried about the elderly couple. An employee called the Springfield Police Department and informed them that an elderly couple was in their business clearly in need of help. Cindy's post says Sangamon County Sheriff's Department but this is a Springfield police officer in the photo.
According to the eyewitnesses and video footage, the officer arrived and talked to the confused couple for less than 5 minutes. Cindy stated it was approximately 2 minutes.
According to Cindy, Springfield City police officer told the employees it was "out of his jurisdiction". Cindy did later learn that this couple was from Menard County. Cindy and many others have taken to social media to express that they believe the officer failed this elderly couple and he should have reached out to the proper authorities and made sure they were safe.
The couple were already visibly distraught and seeing the officer didn't help. They briefly left the business only to return back to the business, still incredibly upset. They were still lost, sadly.
The Good Samaritans at the business took the time to calm down the distraught elderly couple. They looked at the couple's driver's licenses to find the address of where they reside. Employees drove the couple to their home which was 40 minutes away. It is unclear how the distraught woman, who reportedly "couldn't even remember how to put her seat belt on", made it to this local business. However, it's wonderful that she drove her husband and herself to a business with such wonderful people, ready to help out.
Cindy, alongside many others, are wondering how the officer could walk away without worrying about how the elderly couple was going to make it home, especially since they didn't know who they were, or where home was for them. Cindy shared that she was relieved they didn't hurt themselves or someone else while driving.
I'm (personally) relieved that they went back to the same business after they left it. I'm glad they found their way back so someone could make sure they made it home safely because something bad could have happened after they left the first time.
Cindy hopes that someone will recognize this couple and make sure they are okay and safe. She hopes that if this happens again, officers will take the time to investigate the entire situation and offer all of the help that is needed.
We all appreciate Cindy and the store's employees for being kind and helping this couple out in a very stressful time. I hope someone does recognize them and their safety is ensured.
I appreciate my followers alerting me to this so I could see that this occurred and help get the story out there.
*ETA- The original post says Sangamon County but this is a Springfield officer. I've corrected it. Also, Cindy did not mention which business but if she would like that included, I will include it.
More photos below.
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