3-year-old boy found safe after carjacking in Fresno, police say

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A three-year-old boy has been reunited with his mother after a carjacking in downtown Fresno on Friday.

The vehicle was stolen around 5:30 pm near Mariposa and Fulton streets.

Fresno police say a father was standing just feet from his Honda CRV with his three-year-old inside when a man jumped into the vehicle and drove off, taking the small child with him.

Desperate to save his child, the father tried to intervene but was left hurt as the suspect sped off.

For 30 minutes, it was unknown where the car or the little boy were until an officer spotted the SUV near Veterans and 99.

For nearly 10 miles, police and California Highway officers chased the stolen car, looking for ways to stop the suspect.

It was the car he was driving that would ultimately cut the chase short.

The front driver's side tire blew out, and the car came to a stop.

The crowded scene evidence of the priority given to the crime.

"We were looking to take every step possible, this was something we don't take lightly. We weren't just going to put a few officers on it," said Fresno Police Lt. Marcus Gray II.

"Literally every free unit available attending this, including our traffic unit."

Fresno police say they were able to arrest the suspect and physically unharmed in the backseat was the little boy.

The boy's father was taken to the hospital for his injuries.

The suspect was arrested on on charges of felony evading, carjacking, and child endangerment.

His name hasn't been released but police say he does have a criminal history, including unrelated child endangerment charges.

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