FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A mother has been reunited with her two young children after a terrifying kidnapping and car theft in Fresno Wednesday morning.
Fresno police say it happened around 11:05 a.m., near Harrison and Cornell, when the mother caled 911, reporting her car had been stolen with her children, ages 3 and 1, still inside.
Police say the mother had just returned home and was unloading groceries.
When she stepped inside the home, she heard the car being driven away.
Neighbors who heard her calls for help quickly started following the stolen car.
Police say the group caught up to the suspect near Harrison, south of Shields, where they blocked the car, pulled the suspect out and rescued the children before officers arrived.
The man, identified as Nathaniel Benavidez, is now in custody.
Police say he was already on probation for burglary and is now expected to face additional charges, including kidnapping, vehicle theft and a probation violation.