Abducted 4-Year-Old Found Safe In Plymouth After Car Chase

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - A 4-year-old boy abducted from his backyard in Minneapolis on Tuesday has been reunited with his family.

Xavier Fritz-Smead, 24, a family acquaintance, took the boy around 4:48 p.m. from his home in the Armatage neighborhood of Minneapolis, on the 6100 block of Russell Avenue South.

The Minnesota State Patrol spotted Fritz-Smead's Toyota Camry near Interstate 494 and Highway 55 in Plymouth after receiving a 911 about an erratic driver.

Fritz-Smead fled from the trooper, weaving around traffic on northbound 494 and driving onto the roadway's shoulder.

He hit a soft, muddy area near the pavement and careened into a ditch, getting stuck in the mud.

Minnetonka and Plymouth police assisted the state patrol in arresting him.

The child was found safe in the car and did not have any reported injuries.

Fritz-Smead was arrested and taken to Hennepin County Medical Center for an evaluation.

Once he is discharged, he's expected to be charged for fleeing police and, possibly, for felony kidnapping, Lt. Tiffani Nielson of the state patrol said.

The Minneapolis Police Department is investigating the incident.