A 45-year-old man is behind bars after authorities say he stole a car in St. Clair County that had a child in the back seat.
The suspect – Michael Sawyer – led multiple law enforcement agencies on a chase late Sunday morning that began in Ashville and ended in Trussville.
Sawyer was booked into the St. Clair County Jail on charges of kidnapping-abduction of a minor, theft of a motor vehicle and fourth-degree theft of property.
The incident began about 11 a.m. when authorities say a woman stopped at a Texaco in Ashville, leaving the vehicle running with her child in the back seat while she ran inside.
It was then, according to police, that Sawyer jumped into the vehicle and took off.
The mother, who was waiting in line, saw what was happening and ran outside to try to stop it.
“She started yelling, ‘You’re taking my baby,’’’ Ashville police Chief Ed Hampton said. The suspect, however continued on.
A lookout bulletin was issued for the vehicle and the child.
Hampton said the 5-year-old girl began crying for her mother, and Sawyer told her to be quiet and he’d let her out when it was safe to do so.
A few miles later, the suspect let the girl out on the side of Highway 11. A woman passing by saw the girl running and crying and picked up her.
“That’s where I found her,’’ Hampton said.
Trussville police Lt. Clint Riner said the child was let out of the vehicle unharmed somewhere in St. Clair County. Efforts to obtain additional information about the young girl and the release weren’t immediately available.
The girl’s father provided police with GPS tracking information, which showed the suspect was heading toward Trussville.
Trussville police officers heard the BOLO and then spotted the stolen vehicle traveling on Interstate 59 southbound at Deerfoot Parkway, said Trussville Lt. Clint Riner. They attempted to make a stop, but suspect fled.
The chase traveled to Chalkville Mountain Road, through Trussville, into Grayson Valley and then onto Old Springville Road back toward Deerfoot Parkway.
The suspect then bailed from the vehicle in subdivision and continued to flee on foot.
Riner said the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office had a tracking dog on duty nearby, which joined in the search and helped locate Sawyer.
There were no injuries during the chase, which covered less than 10 miles.
Sawyer, who lists a Childersburg address, was taken into custody about 11:45 a.m. He is being held without bond.
“It was very stressful but they’re back together now. The child is not hurt,’’ Hampton said.
“She is very shaken. The mom is shaken,’’ the chief said. “I don’t think mom will be leaving her by herself in the car anymore.”
