While off duty, Officer Jonathan Valencia was enjoying a meal with his family at a restaurant in St. Paul, MN when a man stole the tip jar from the restaurant counter. As restaurant staff confronted the thief, he brandished a knife and threatened to stab the staff member.
Officer Valencia quickly intervened, drawing his firearm and identifying himself as a police officer. He ordered the suspect to drop the knife, which the man did. Valencia, along with staff, detained the suspect until on-duty officers arrived and took him into custody. The suspect has since been charged with aggravated robbery.