Police: Suspects in Interstate 65 chase abandoned children
CALERA, Ala. (WAKA) – Investigators involved in a chase on Interstate 65 southward from Calera into our area say the suspects abandoned four children as they tried to make their getaway.
Calera police say they got a call at around 2:20PM today reporting a theft at Walmart. They found the suspects speeding on U.S. Highway 31 before getting onto Interstate 65 southbound. When officers saw children in the car, they say they backed off, even though the driver was still speeding and driving recklessly.
Chilton County agencies picked up the chase along with Alabama State Troopers and Autauga County deputies as the car continued south. The vehicle’s tires were spiked by state troopers after the vehicle proceeded the wrong way on I-65, investigators say.
The suspects fled on foot and were soon captured.
Investigators say the suspects left behind two children at Walmart and two other children inside the vehicle when they ran off.
Police say one of the two adult suspects is from Montgomery and is being charged with felony attempting to elude, reckless endangerment, abandonment of a child, retail theft and 16 separate traffic violations. They say the suspect has prior retail theft charges.
The second suspect, with 46 prior arrests in four states, has multiple felony warrants with both statewide and nationwide extradition, police say. This suspect was released to The Elmore County Sheriff’s Office.
The suspects’ names haven’t been released.
The Alabama Department of Human Resources was notified to care for the children.
“Fleeing the police in a vehicle is stupid,” Calera Police Chief David Hyche said. “Doing it with kids in the car is horrific, and I don’t know what to say about leaving two kids at Walmart while you try to escape with your stolen electronics.
“Stealing is a gamble. Stealing in Calera is gambling in a casino where the house always wins. Our law enforcement partners to the south are amazing. We wouldn’t have caught these two today without Chilton County, Jemison, Clanton and ALEA. I also want to commend the Walmart staff for always doing a great job working with us to stop retail theft. Retail theft makes prices higher for all of us.”
