Illinois Man Charged With Kidnapping After Romulus Carjacking Prompts Amber Alert
DETROIT (WWJ) - A 23-year-old Illinois man faces multiple charges in connection with a child abduction during a carjacking that prompted an Amber Alert over the weekend.
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office has charged Jawaan E. Johnson of Markum, Illinois, with carjacking, kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment and larceny in the incident Saturday morning in the 31100 block of Flynn Drive in Romulus.
Johnson is accused of stealing a car with 16-month-old Ayden Casteels in the backseat. Ayden's mother told police she was pulled from the vehicle, and the suspect jumped in and sped off.
An Amber Alert — including the suspect's description— was issued and Johnson was captured while walking down Merriman Road in Westland after a tipster spotted him and called police.
Ayden was found, unharmed, sleeping in the backseat of his mother's vehicle, which was found nearby on Licorice Street. Johnson is also accused of stealing some "personal property" from the car, which led to the larceny charge.
Bond was set at $100,000 cash at an arraignment Monday afternoon in 34th District Court.
Johnson will be back before a judge for probable cause hearing set for Wednesday, May 27, at 9 a.m.
