Cop took pity on homeless shoplifter and refused to arrest her only for her to STAB HIM with a screwdriver and a knife

A COP was stabbed by a homeless woman after he offered to let her off for allegedly shoplifting from a grocery store, according to a report.

Officer Joe Ryan approached the woman around 8 p.m. on Monday evening after store employees told him that a woman had hidden items in her clothing without paying for them, in St Paul, Minnesota.

He offered to let her return the stolen items without punishment, according to the Star Tribune.

The woman – later identified as 23-year-old Articia L. Moore – denied having stolen anything, even though Ryan could reportedly see the concealed items.

She then returned a single item but when Ryan told her to return the rest she said she was homeless and became uncooperative.

Ryan then grabbed her arm after seeing a knife handle in her pocket.

A scuffle ensued, and the woman struck Ryan in the chest with a screwdriver and in the arm with a knife, according to a criminal complaint.

The tough cop still managed to bring her under control and arrested her.

Ryan’s vest protected him against the screwdriver, while his left bicep had a minor cut, according to the charges.

Sgt. Mike Ernster, a spokesman for the Police Department, said: “She had options, thankfully, he wasn’t seriously hurt.”

Moore was charged on Tuesday in Ramsey County District Court with second-degree assault and assaulting a police officer.

She remains inside as she hasn’t been able to afford the £16,000 bail.