2 Children Inside SUV When It Was Stolen
FEDERAL HEIGHTS, Colo. (CBS4)- Two children were kidnapped when the SUV they were in was stolen in Federal Heights on Monday. The alleged thief was arrested and the children were reunited with their mother.
Police said the children's mother left her three month old and three year old in her Jeep about noon on Monday as she walked into a Family Dollar store.
The Jeep was left running and that's when a man got inside. Police say when she tried to stop him, he pushed her and drove away.
Officers caught up with the Jeep, the man and two children at Interstate 25 and Thornton Parkway about a half hour later. The thief, later identified as Eric Maestas, apparently stopped because of a flat tire.
"One of the officers looked like he was tearing up taking the kids out of there because they were just so happy the kids weren't hurt in the whole thing," said witness Samuel Huggard.
He saw the end of the chase and saw the reunion between the parents and their daughters.
"It was very emotional and she was in tears. There was a family member holding her hand and walking with her and she's just gasping for air," said Huggard.
Police arrested Maestas, 34. He is expected to face several charges including car theft and kidnapping.
It's unclear whether the mother of the children will face charges for leaving them in the SUV.