A Texarkana woman is facing charges after allegedly stealing a vehicle with a child still inside it.

Texas side police arrested Caroline Minnieweather, 46, of Texarkana, Texas after she allegedly stole a vehicle with a child inside the car Wednesday afternoon. At 4:28PM yesterday, August 3, officers responded to the report of a stolen vehicle at Best Buy, located in the 4200 block of St. Michael Drive.

The 9-1-1 caller reported that her 5-year-old son was in the vehicle when it was taken.  According to the child’s mother, she said Minnieweather asked for a ride to Best Buy. As she waited outside in her vehicle for Minnieweather to make her purchase and return, she noticed the individual was involved in a confrontation with a store employee near the front of the store.

She said she got out of her vehicle to walk over to see what was happened and discovered that the employee was allegedly attempting to detain Minnieweather for shoplifting two laptop computers. As the victim approached, the suspect was able to break free from the employee, run to the victim’s 2010 Ford Fusion, and then drive away with the child inside.

Approximately one hour later, officers found the stolen vehicle at a residence in the 1200 block of Stuckey Street. The child, who was unharmed, had been left alone in the vehicle.

Minnieweather was located inside the residence and arrested without incident. The child was safely returned to his mother.

Minnieweather was charged with Unlawful Restraint, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, Theft of Property, and Child Endangerment. She is currently being held in the Bi-State Jail.

 

More From Kicker 102.5