NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- New Haven police officers stepped up to help, making a lasting impression, after a scary situation unfolded last month.

"I never have been threatened my whole life," said Jonathan Ransom, of New Haven.

Ransom was walking to get food on Whalley Avenue when he was robbed by a group of young people.

"They threatened me, by saying they had a gun, and took my blue hat and blue Nikes," he said.

Ransom, who has autism, was forced to walk home without shoes in the bitter cold. Police continue to look for those responsible.

"They took his sneakers, but they took even more," said Sylvia Cooper, Ransom's mother. "His safety net. His confidence of going outside."

Officer Trevor Brown responded to the call. Cooper said it was an interaction she'll never forget.

"He was made to feel like a human being," she said. "His voice was heard."

After this happened, New Haven officers knew they had to do something.

"He told me everything that happened and it broke my heart," Officer Trevor Brown said.

Officer Tyler Evans wanted to help.

"I said, what do you want him to do?" he said. "Get him some new sneakers?"

Evans turned to the city for help.

"It feels good to know one nice little gesture was able to make someone so happy," said Ronald Huggins, with the city's youth and recreation department.

They were able to buy him two pairs of sneakers -- hand-delivering them on Thanksgiving.

"They came over to my mom's, and they brought in a bag, and had two new pairs of Nike sneakers," Cooper said. "I was speechless."