The Chinatown grocery store owner who chased down & held a shoplifter has been honoured by the Prime Minister.

David Chen & 16 other people were given the Diamond Jubilee medal Saturday by Stephen Harper.

Chen was charged in 2009 but later acquitted in the case, which spurred Criminal Code changes introduced by the Tories to expand citizen's arrest & self-defence provisions.

The medal was launched by the Harper government last year to mark the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne.  Recipients are nominated by community groups & organizations.