A frightening ordeal near Houston ended in relief when a car that had been stolen with children still inside was recovered and the youngsters were found safe. Authorities said the vehicle was taken from a gas station, setting off a chase that stretched miles across the area before the suspect was finally caught.
According to authorities, the suspect drove off in the car while children were inside. As the pursuit unfolded, the oldest of the children, a 10-year-old girl, managed to escape early on during the police chase. Officials said none of the children were harmed at any point during the ordeal.
The suspect tried to shake off those following him, at one point throwing a phone out of the window as he drove. But other drivers who were listening to police scanner audio stepped in to help, assisting officers in locating the stolen car as it moved through the area.
With that help, Humble police were eventually able to track down the suspect and the vehicle. He was found on the Eastex Freeway, about 14 miles from the gas station where authorities say he originally stole the car. He was taken into custody without any further harm coming to the children.
The man arrested was identified as 22-year-old Xavier Starks. He has been charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and aggravated kidnapping in connection with the case, according to authorities, who released his booking photo after the arrest.
A sheriff at the scene was asked whether it was possible the suspect had not realized there were children in the car when he took it. He said one of the children, the oldest daughter, had been sitting in the front seat, making it nearly impossible for the suspect not to have known the youngsters were inside.
Despite how quickly the situation escalated, authorities stressed that the children were not injured and were okay. Those covering the story described it as a really scary situation for the family, one that could have ended far worse but instead saw every child returned safely.