By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
A stranger nearly drove off with a vehicle occupied by four children while their parents were unloading groceries at their Centralia home yesterday evening.
The 28-year-old father jumped into the passenger side of the vehicle and yelled at the man, who apologized and ran off, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.
It happened about 4:50 p.m. at the 1600 block of Windsor Avenue, at the north end of town, Chief Deputy Stacy Brown said.
Deputies searched the area and a dog track was conducted, but the subject was not found, Brown said.
According to Brown, the family had just got home from grocery shopping and planned to head to the laundry, so the parents were taking their purchases inside and bringing laundry outside, while the children waited.
The father saw the man and thought he was coming to the door, but saw him get into their van instead and start driving away, Brown said.
He didn’t get very far.
The father ran and caught up to the vehicle and climbed into the passenger seat, she said.
When he asked the man what he was doing, he responded by saying he was not right in the head, and he didn’t want any trouble, Brown said. Then he fled.
The children were not harmed, she said.
The suspect spoke Spanish and was described as heavy set, with a mustache and wearing a hat and blue shirt and probably between 40 to 50 years old.
Brown said it’s not clear if the man was just attempting to steal the van and didn’t realize it had kids in it, or what.
The K-9 track did turn up some evidence, she said The sheriff’s office continues to investigate, she said.
The man is now wanted for attempted vehicle theft and kidnapping, according to Brown.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
I hope that they catch him.