Two juveniles took car with 4-year-old inside, then crashed it during chase, CMPD says

A 4-year-old Charlotte child experienced a kidnapping, police chase and wreck within a 45-minute span, after being caught up in a car theft, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police.

The child survived the ordeal without injury, CMPD said in a news release.

Investigators say the two suspects are juveniles. The next day, police officials said the child’s mother also was charged, cited with misdemeanor child abuse. Circumstances around the mother’s arrest and nature of what led to the charges were not provided by the police department.

The theft happened around 6:15 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, in northeast Charlotte and multiple divisions were involved in a search for the stolen car, police said.

“A caller advised officers that her vehicle was stolen with her 4-year-old child inside. Officers attempted to stop the stolen vehicle. The driver refused to stop, initiating a pursuit,” CMPD said.

“Shortly after 7 p.m., the stolen vehicle crashed at North Graham Street and Rumple Road. Both suspects, ages 14 and 15, were arrested and taken into custody.”

The 4-year-old victim was found in the crashed car, police said.

The two teens were charged with first degree kidnapping and possession of a stolen vehicle, police said. The 15-year-old faces an additional charge of felony flee to elude, police said.

Investigators say the two juveniles were strangers to the woman and her child. Later a 12-year-old was also charged with felony flee to elude.

This story was originally published January 17, 2023 at 5:47 AM with the headline "Two juveniles took car with 4-year-old inside, then crashed it during chase, CMPD says."