:d

Hmm.. tough one! I can visualize a cop getting into such a situation and scratching his head trying to decide what to do while the criminal gets away !! Lol! In my opinion, the old adage 'Prevention is better than cure' should work here too! It would be better to prevent the crime being committed then and there, than to let it happen and then having to investigate both the first and the second crimes! If the cop interferes with the ongoing crime immediately, he can apprehend the criminal red-handed, prevent much damage to be caused by the criminal, as well as solve a potential investigation on the spot! The other investigation, in the meantime can wait just a little longer, as the crime there has been already committed, and not much further damage can be done. All the above assuming the cop cannot page someone else to take care of the investigation he had been initially assigned to, while he takes care of the ongoing crime. If he can, there shouldn't be any problem!! I wonder what the cops' code-of-conduct book (if there exists one) says about such a situation!