A 6-year-old was abducted early Tuesday morning after two car thefts at a Clayton County day care, authorities said.
About five minutes after the car thefts, the child was seen on surveillance video walking back to the Childcare Network day care, Clayton County police Sgt. Ashanti Marbury said. It’s not known where he was abandoned.
Three men are sought in connection with the crimes at the day care, located in the 6000 block of Fayetteville Road in Riverdale, police said.
About 7:25 a.m., Clayton County police were called to the day care in reference to two stolen vehicles left running and unattended.
Surveillance video showed a silver Nissan Altima parking next to a gray Chrysler 300. A man in the front passenger seat of the Nissan jumped into the Chrysler’s front passenger seat. Moments later, the Chrysler drove away.
Not long after the theft, the Nissan drove to another location in the day care parking lot and made an abrupt stop at a white Hyundai Santa Fe, Clayton County police said. The Hyundai, which had a 6-year-old inside, was also left running and unattended.
A person in the back seat of the Nissan hopped out, got into the Hyundai and sped away, police said.
In under a minute, all three cars were seen on surveillance video leaving the day care parking lot.
Shortly after, the child was seen walking back to the day care and was reunited with his mother. He was not injured.
Police later found the Hyundai at the intersection of East Faytetteville Road and Evans Drive — less than a mile from the day care. The Chrysler 300 has not been found.
Earlier this year, Clayton County police rescued two girls after someone stole an SUV with them inside from a gas station. A baby and her 4-year-old sister were dumped on the side of the road miles apart in freezing temperatures. Authorities arrested Khyree Swift and a 16-year-old in connection with the crime.
Anyone who may have information on Tuesday’s case or the identity of the suspects is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 404-577-8477.
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