Mother reunited with child after car was stolen with son inside
January 21, 2003
By First Coast News Staff
First Coast News
JACKSONVILLE, Fl (Arlington) - A family and son were reunited Monday night after someone stole the mother's car with her son inside it. The mother had dropped off a baby with a friend and left the car running when it was stolen.
Valerie Thomas had dropped off a baby at her friend's house and got out of the car. The keys were left in it with the engine running to keep her sleeping son warm. Suddenly, someone took off in the car with the 10-year-old inside and drove around the Arlington area for about 25 minutes.
"I got out of the door and my car was gone. I flipped. I started running up the road looking for my son and I couldn't find him. I just couldn't think straight," said Valerie Thomas, mother. "I thought the worst...that's my only child. I was just hysterical."
The 10-year-old boy was able to use a cell phone to call a family friend and attempted to give some sort of information in regards to where they were. However, it was of little help. The suspect eventually let the boy out and got into another car. The gold Lexus was left at the Hidden Oaks apartment complex.
It was a distressing experience for the son and mother but they were eventually reunited. Valerie Thomas had a chance to talk with her son Monday night. Police are questioning him in regards to the entire ordeal, but he's doing fine.
Police are still looking for the man who took a 10-year-old boy in the car and also the driver of the car the suspect jumped into. If you have any information about this, call the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at (904)630-0500.
Updated: January 21, 2003 0:12 AM