5-Year-Old Boy Found Safe In Skokie After Abduction In Park Ridge
Updated 02/20/14 - 2:37 p.m.
Boy Found Safe After Car Is Stolen
PARK RIDGE, Ill. (CBS) -- A 5-year-old boy who was the subject of an AMBER Alert was found safe in Skokie on Thursday, after he was taken in a carjacking earlier in Park Ridge.
Park Ridge police said Drake Whitker was sleeping in the back of a white 2012 Audi Q5 when someone stole it from in front of a home in the 1700 block of Good Avenue around 12:20 p.m.
Authorities said Drake was found by a Good Samaritan safe later Thursday afternoon when the car was spotted in a residential alley in nearby Skokie, and the AMBER Alert was canceled.
"Right place at the right time," the Good Samaritan tells CBS 2's Brad Edwards.
The man, who asked that his name not be used, said he had heard about the AMBER Alert on WBBM Newsradio and was coming back from the mall when he came across the vehicle in the alley. The boy got out and approached him.
"I said why don't you come over here and sit in my car, and I called 9-1-1. I said your mommy's going to be very happy to see you," the man said.
Drake, who was in good spirits, was reunited with his family at the Skokie Police Station.
"The important thing was to get mom and the child reconnected. Immediately, when we found out, we put them in touch with each other with cell phones. They began talking with each other," Park Ridge Police Chief Frank Kaminski told reporters.
The car was stolen as the mother left to bring groceries inside the house. She saw the suspect making off with the vehicle and tried to prevent it, police said.
The Good Samaritan did not see anyone else near the car. Kaminski said police seek a man who is 18 to 22 years of age, about 5 feet, 8 inches tall, has a medium build, is black with a short Afro hairstyle and wore a blue Cubs jacket.
Kaminski urged the man to turn himself in.
"I would suggest that the person turn himself in to either the Park Ridge or Skokie Police Department because we will find you," he said.
Kaminski said if the thief is found he will ask prosecutors to press "all possible charges," beginning with auto theft and kidnapping.
Anyone with information should call 911 or Park Ridge police at (847) 318-5252.
