Atlanta police recover stolen car with 2-year-old child inside

Midtown car theft leads to kidnapped child search

A 2-year-old child was inside a silver car stolen near Spring Street and Eighth Street in Midtown Atlanta after a mother left the vehicle running.  

ATLANTA - A 21-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly stealing an idling vehicle with a 2-year-old child inside in Atlanta Thursday afternoon, according to police. 

What we know:

Atlanta police responded to a report of a stolen vehicle with a toddler inside at 930 Spring St. NW at approximately 4:31 p.m. Thursday. Preliminary investigation showed the vehicle was left running with the 2-year-old girl inside when the theft occurred. 

Officers assigned to the Auto Crimes Enforcement Unit quickly tracked down the vehicle, child and suspect about three miles away to a strip mall located at 2020 Howell Mill Rd. NW. Police took 21-year-old Saleem Martin into custody without further incident.

Saleem Martin (Atlanta Police Department)

The child was not harmed and was reunited with their parents. 

Officers canvassed the Midtown scene for video footage and placed a man in handcuffs into the back of a patrol car at the Publix parking lot. 

Witnesses at the scene reported seeing emergency lights, ambulances, and children's blankets inside the recovered vehicle. 

SKYFOX 5 flew over the Publix shopping center on Collier Road NW around 5:10 p.m. and spotted a mother and two children with authorities.

An Atlanta Police Department investigation led officers to safely recover a child and take a suspect into custody following a reported vehicle theft and kidnapping that originated along Spring Street NW in Midtown before ending near the Publix shoppi

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What they're saying:

"Never leave your car running in Atlanta. You just never know what's going to happen here," said Midtown driver Brittany Phouangphet. "The times that we're living in is just, it's just unsafe. Women, children, no one's safe nowadays. It's just so shocking. But I'm just glad the, you know, Alanta police are on it, you know, see something, say something." 

Another witness expressed relief after seeing the police response at the parking lot. "It's really shocking. So, you know, I'm just glad that they say they found and maybe help someone in custody," the witness said. 

What's next:

According to the arrest warrant, Martin is charged with multiple felonies, including kidnapping, entering a vehicle with intent to commit theft, and cruelty to children.

He is scheduled to appear in court in Fulton County on Friday.