SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a reported child abduction and continue the search for two suspects.
Just before 4p.m. Wednesday, police responded to the 2100 block of S. Broadway for an abduction call. Officers contacted a 25-year-old woman at a convenience store who reported that her maroon Town and Country van was stolen from the parking lot, and that her three children were inside, according to Office Kevin Wheeler.
The children were two boys, ages 6 months and 18-months and a 2-year-old girl, according Captain Brent Allred.
Investigators determined the mother had turned off the van, left the keys in the vehicle as she went into the gas station convenience store, according to Allred.
One suspect later identified as 31-year-old Jason Barajas was a passenger in a silver SUV parked next to the van. He exited the SUV, got into the woman’s van and drove through the parking lot and then traveled northbound on Broadway. Officers located the stolen van in the 1500 Block of South Gold where Barajas had abandoned the van with children still inside. When police found the children, they were scared but unharmed, according to Allred. Police quickly reunited them with their parents.
On Wednesday night, detectives identified Barajas as a potential suspect and 55-year-old Wesley Coleman as the driver of the SUV they had been in at the convenience store, according to Allred.
Police arrested Barajas during a traffic stop at Kellogg and Tyler. He was in a stolen Suzuki Grand Vitara. He is being held on requested charges that include three counts of kidnapping, aggravated child endangerment, auto theft, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, transporting open container and an outstand warrant, according to Allred.
Coleman was identified with the help of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s office and was arrested in a separate vehicle stop in the 6200 Block of West Kellogg. He was not arrested for any charges from the abduction. He was booked for driving on a suspended license and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Police will present the case to the Sedgwick County District attorney.
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SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a reported child abduction and continue the search for two suspects.
Just before 4p.m. Wednesday, police responded to the 2100 block of S. Broadway for an abduction call. Officers contacted a 25-year-old woman at a convenience store who reported that her maroon Town and Country van was stolen from the parking lot, and that her three children were inside, according to Office Kevin Wheeler.
Police located the vehicle in the 1500 block of S. Gold with the children still inside and unharmed.
Police continue the search for two persons of interest. The first individual is a white male, who was wearing a red shirt, dark shorts, and a white KU hat. The second individual is a white male, who was wearing a multi-colored shirt and dark shorts. The two were in a white SUV, that appears to be a Suburban.
Anyone with information on these individuals should call 911. They may also submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers by calling 316-267-2111.