Kent Police are looking for a man who reportedly stole a vehicle with two children inside early Tuesday morning, Feb. 28 at an apartment complex in the 20800 block of 110th Avenue SE on the East Hill.
The children were found about 22 minutes later and less than a mile away safe and unharmed inside the vehicle, according to Kent Police.
Officers responded at about 6:58 a.m. to a kidnapping as a mother called 911 to report her vehicle had been stolen by a stranger with her two young children inside, according to a police statement.
Kent Police advised surrounding law enforcement agencies and requested assistance to locate the vehicle. At about 7:20 a.m., a Kent officer found the vehicle with the children inside in the 10900 block of SE 233rd Street. The suspect had fled.
The vehicle had the keys in it, so the man got into the vehicle and drove off, Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla said in an email.
“The family was in the process of loading the vehicle, placing the small children in car seats when the male suspect took control of the vehicle,” said Padilla, who added the family lives at the apartment complex. “They were in the process of loading the vehicle to head out that morning.”
Police are seeking the public’s help to find the man and released a photo of him on Facebook. Anyone with information about the identity of the man should call the Kent Police tip line at 253-856-5808 or email KPDTips@kentwa.gov. Call 911 if you know who the suspect is and his location.
Editor’s note: The date of this incident has been updated.
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