CARJACKER NABBED: Man Dumps Toddler On New Orleans Overpass After Stealing Car

James King 04/07/202204/07/2022 cops, Dump, man, Stealing Car, Toddler

Louisiana cops have arrested a 21-year-old man for stealing a car with a toddler inside before abandoning the kid on an overpass in New Orleans.

The one-year-old child was abducted in the town of Chalmette in St Bernard Parish in the US state of Louisiana on the morning of 29th June. The tot was later found sitting on the pavement of an overpass in New Orleans.

After reviewing CCTV footage in the area, the police arrested suspect Johnathon Perkins, 21, a New Orleans resident, on the afternoon of 30th June.

Jonathon Perkins, 21, pictured after his arrest stole a car with a baby inside and then deserted the child on the side of a New Orleans road, on 29th June. (St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office/Newsflash)

The Saint Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office (SBSO) said on 30th June: “The St Bernard Sheriff’s Office, along with the Louisiana State Police, the US Marshals Service and the New Orleans Police Department, apprehended a New Orleans man wanted for stealing a vehicle with a young child inside from the parking lot of a Chalmette business on Wednesday morning.

“Johnathon Perkins, 21, of the 4900 block of Lafaye Street in New Orleans, was booked with theft of motor vehicle, second degree kidnapping, child desertion and illegal possession of stolen property.

“At approximately 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 29, Sheriff Pohlmann said, deputies with the Field Operations Bureau Patrol Division responded to a call for service in reference to a 2015 white Subaru Outback occupied by a small child being stolen from outside of a business in the 5300 block of Paris Road in Chalmette.

Jonathon Perkins, 21, stole a car with a baby inside and then deserted the child on the side of a New Orleans road, on 29th June. (St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office/Newsflash)

“When deputies arrived on the scene, the suspect had fled in the vehicle with the baby still inside. Deputies were able to locate the 1 year old child unharmed and in good health sitting on the side of the road on an Almonaster Boulevard overpass in New Orleans.”

The police added: “The vehicle also was found abandoned in New Orleans near Desire Street still running with the hazard lights flashing.”

The statement continued: “During the course of the investigation, detectives with the SBSO Criminal Investigations Bureau were able to identify Perkins through video surveillance evidence and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

“Perkins was apprehended Thursday, June 30 around 4:30 p.m. near Avon Park Boulevard and Morrison Road in eastern New Orleans by SBSO and State Police.”