Bystander wanted to be a cop; his handcuffs came in handy

A bystander chased and handcuffed a suspected shoplifter who fled a Wal-Mart loss prevention officer Sunday night.

Although it was a successful capture, police advised the bystander, who told officers he has carried handcuffs ever since he “attempted to be a police officer in Oklahoma,” that he couldn’t just go around cuffing people. The incident report stated the bystander was not a police officer.

Myrtle Beach police were called to the 541 Seaboard St. store in reference to a shoplifting shortly before 7 p.m. and found the offender handcuffed in the parking lot.

A loss prevention officer told police that 37-year-old Carmen Nicole Floyd was spotted concealing multiple bags of shrimp in her purse. Floyd attempted to leave the store without paying for the food, according to the report.

When the loss prevention officer identified herself, Floyd gave her the purse and took off running. Floyd was detained in the parking lot by the handcuff-bearing bystander and the loss prevention officer, according to the report.

Police say Floyd admitted to concealing the items in her purse and a criminal history check showed Floyd had two prior property crime convictions.

She was charged with shoplifting enhancement.

This story was originally published June 27, 2016 at 4:22 PM with the headline "Bystander wanted to be a cop; his handcuffs came in handy."