In a harrowing event that unfolded in the streets of North Portland, quick thinking by two kidnapped children led to their safety and the arrest of a car thief. According to the Portland Police Bureau, the children aged 9 and 11, were inside a vehicle left running by their father when a woman seized the opportunity, hijacked the sedan and fled the scene, OregonLive reported.
The incident began around 2:45 p.m. Monday in Portland's 6800 block of North Interstate Avenue when the father, briefly stepping away to visit a nearby business, returned only to witness a woman jumping into his car and taking off with his children in tow, the children managed to escape approximately ten minutes later at a stoplight by Northwest 15th Avenue and Glisan Street, where they jumped from the car and sought help from a passerby who dialed 911, according to police statements obtained by KOIN.
Perhaps reflecting on a series of similar car thefts plaguing Portland where suspects have previously made off with vehicles containing unattended children, this incident joins a disturbing pattern including a case where a 7-year-old girl and a 9-month-old baby were found after their respective family cars were stolen from them, thankfully in each instance, the children were found unharmed, and the latest pursuit ended when several law enforcement agencies collaborated to halt the stolen car south of the Northeast 134th Street exit in Vancouver, as evidenced by KGW.
The apprehended suspect whose identity has yet to be released remains in custody, the father suffered minor injuries during the initial theft attempt and while the children have been safely reunited with their family, they bore witness to a terror that a child ought not know and officials commend their bravery and agility in the face of such a daunting predicament, detectives from the Major Crimes Unit are continuing their investigation to unravel the full scope of this brazen carjack, according to authorities reported by KOIN.
