Police Seek Suspects Who Stole Running Car With 2-Year-Old Inside

CHARLOTTE, NC — Charlotte police are asking for the public’s help locating two suspects wanted in connection with a case of kidnapping and vehicle theft after they drove off in an unlocked car left running outside a Charlotte gas station with a 2-year-old in the backseat.

The incident occurred shortly before midnight at the QuickTrip gas station, located at 7115 South Boulevard in Charlotte, when the child's mother left the child in the running Ford Focus, and two men hopped inside.

According to a police report, the child’s father was at a nearby location and spotted the car after it was stolen, and began following it.

The suspects quickly abandoned the car about two minutes away from the gas station, leaving the child unharmed in the backseat. The child was unharmed in the incident, however, Charlotte police issued the toddler's mother a citation for child neglect, which is a misdemeanor.

Friday, Charlotte police identified Jessee Kelly, 18, as a suspect wanted in connection with the case, saying he is wanted for larceny of a motor vehicle, second degree kidnapping and felony conspiracy.

Police said they also needed assistance identifying a man wearing a red and black jacket and hoodie.

SEE ALSO: Auto Thefts Spike In Charlotte, Police Blame Keys Left In Vehicle

CMPD asks that anyone with information about Kelly’s whereabouts or the identity of the second individual call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

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Photos courtesy of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department