3 Yr Old Safe After Brief Abduction/Car Theft, Jacksonville

Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 3:36 am

3-Year-Old Safe After Brief Abduction

POSTED: 4:02 pm EDT October 6, 2006

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A 3-year-old girl was briefly abducted Friday afternoon when a car thief drove off with an SUV when the child's mother had stopped at a gas station on the Westside, according to police.

Police responded quickly to the report of a car theft with a toddler inside at the 3800 block of Blanding Boulevard. Within minutes, officers stopped the vehicle in the 4800 block of Wesconnett Boulevard, about a mile away.

"He saw an opportunity to jump in the car with it running and left," Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Lt. Allen Eason said. "Police got behind him and stopped him and took him into custody without incident."

The suspect was taken downtown for questioning. His name and what charges he may face were not yet available.

The girl was reunited with her mother, but the mother could also face a charges. Leaving an unoccupied car running is against the law. She could also be charged with child endangerment.

Police told Channel 4's Jim Piggott that they will contact the Department of Children and Families and the state attorney's office, who will decide if the mother will face any charges.

http://www.news4jax.com/news/10019072/detail.html

Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 12:25 pm

Man Held On $1 Million Bond In Brief Kidnapping

POSTED: 7:27 pm EDT October 7, 2006

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A man accused of stealing a car with a 3-year-old girl in the front seat Friday afternoon was ordered held on $1 million for kidnapping and $15,000 for grand theft.

Police said Jerry Lee Jackson hopped into the front seat of a woman's running SUV Friday afternoon while she was inside a Blanding Boulevard gas station.

Within minutes, officers stopped the vehicle in the 4800 block of Wesconnett Boulevard, about a mile away and took Jackson into custody.

The girl was reunited with her mother, but the mother could also face charges. Leaving an unoccupied car running is against the law. She could also be charged with child endangerment.

Police told Channel 4's Jim Piggott that they will contact the Department of Children and Families and the state attorney's office, who will decide if the mother will face any charges.

http://www.news4jax.com/news/10025187/detail.html