A young man has been honoured by Almeria Local Police after bravely chasing down a shoplifter.

Luis Carlos Palanca received an official commendation after his actions on July 24, when he witnessed a man stealing items from a clothing store and decided to intervene.

Rather than standing by, Palanca pursued the suspect through several streets in Almeria before managing to recover the stolen garments and return them to the shop.

In recognition of his actions, the Local Police presented him with a commemorative plaque and praised his ‘extraordinary sense of civic responsibility’.

In an official letter, acting chief superintendent Carmen Maria Martinez said the young man’s actions mirrored those expected of police officers and had successfully prevented the theft from succeeding.

She praised his courage and quick thinking in what she described as an unexpected and challenging situation.

‘Your reaction reflects the values of your personality: solidarity, civic-mindedness, responsibility and commitment to society,’ Martinez wrote.

‘These are qualities that help build a safer, more united community and deserve public recognition.’

She added that, beyond recovering the stolen property, Palanca had set an example for other young people through his selfless actions.

The police chief also extended her gratitude to his family, recognising their role in ‘instilling the values of respect, generosity and public service’ that she said had been demonstrated by the young man’s actions.

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