ARCADIA, Fla. (WFLA) — A man is facing kidnapping charges after stealing a vehicle with two young children inside earlier this week.
On Wednesday, the Desoto County Sheriff’s Office intercepted a stolen vehicle following a “Be On the Lookout” alert for two kidnapped 4-year-olds out of Henry County.
Deputies spotted Jerome Ralph Garvin in the stolen car driving down Highway 17 in Arcadia.
Garvin refused to pull over and led deputies on a pursuit, they said. While the car was still in motion, the suspect abandoned the vehicle with the kids still inside.
With the help of the Arcadia Police Department, officials were able to track Garvin down and arrest him.
In addition to his already lengthy criminal history of robbery, grand theft auto, and aggravated battery, Garvin faces new charges of kidnapping and child neglect, fleeing to elude law enforcement, resisting arrest, and grand theft of a motor vehicle.
According to the sheriff’s office, the two children were safely rescued.