ROSELLE, N.J. (WCBS 880) — A 2-year-old in New Jersey is safe and reunited with his family after a teenager stole the unattended vehicle that he was sitting in on Thursday night.
Authorities on Friday said a teenage boy is also facing multiple charges in connection to the car theft and kidnapping.
Union County prosecutors say the 16-year-old stole the car around 11:30 p.m. Thursday from in front of a Roselle home, shortly after the vehicle’s owned parked.
The owner was bringing items from the vehicle into the home, when the theft occurred, according to authorities. It’s not clear if the teenager knew the 2-year-old boy was still inside the car.
Roselle police located the vehicle soon after the owner reported it stolen and pursued the teenager into Elizabeth, New Jersey.
The Union County prosecutor’s office notes that the car chase ended with a brief foot pursuit and the 16-year-old was taken into custody without incident.
The child was found on a sidewalk in Roselle, prosecutors say.
The teenager’s identity was not released because of his age.
He is charged with second-degree kidnapping, second-degree eluding police, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, third-degree motor vehicle theft and fourth-degree resisting arrest.
The teen remains in custody pending a Superior Court hearing. Prosecutors say they believe the theft was an isolated incident and there is no remaining threat to the community.
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