A car theft in Clayton County led to a widespread search for a 2-month-old infant who was inside the vehicle. A 17-year-old individual has been taken into custody.
Johnathan Johnson was apprehended close to Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Jonesboro following a reported high-speed pursuit. The individual faced multiple charges including motor vehicle theft, kidnapping, reckless conduct, hit and run, cruelty to children, fleeing and eluding, disobeying a traffic control device, and reckless driving.
A silver Acura TL was stolen around 11:45 a.m. Friday from the parking lot of the Southway Shopping Center located along Highway 138 between N. Main Street and U.S. 41, as reported by the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office. The mother informed the officers that she had briefly stopped by Champion Wings and Fish to collect some food.
The woman informed the officers that she had unintentionally left her keys in the car and the car running, with her 2-month-old child inside. After leaving the establishment, she witnessed someone making a swift getaway in her vehicle. She failed to identify the man.
The theft led to a BOLO (be on the lookout) being issued, and several local agencies joined the search. As the search intensified, officers also made efforts to issue a Levi’s Call, Georgia’s Amber Alert System for missing and abducted children, in order to locate the infant.
Approximately 45 minutes later, and prior to an official alert being issued, deputies from the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office observed the vehicle making a turn in front of them at the intersection of Southlake Parkway and Mt. Zion Road. Deputies made an attempt to stop the vehicle, but the driver quickly accelerated and fled. Officers pursued the suspect, reaching high speeds. According to authorities, the vehicle veered onto the sidewalk, crossed the concrete median, and proceeded to crash near the cemetery on the intersection of Mt. Zion Rd and Mt. Zion Blvd.
The driver fled into the woods but was apprehended by Georgia State Patrol troopers.
Authorities report that the infant was not located within the vehicle involved in the accident. Currently, authorities are directing all their efforts towards locating the young child.
As per the Clayton County Police Department, Johnson informed investigators that he had removed the infant from the vehicle and left her behind a dumpster, although he couldn’t remember the precise location.
Following a thorough investigation, the child was discovered behind a dumpster in a wooded area near the Tara Woods apartments on Tara Boulevard and Sherwood Drive. The child received medical attention and was safely reunited with her mother.
All three places are located within a 3-mile distance.
Johnson is anticipated to be officially processed at the Clayton County Jail for the charges mentioned.