LARGO, Fla.–– Largo Police are investigating after a thief stole a truck at a Wawa with a sleeping seven-year-old in the back seat.
It happened Monday around 9:30 a.m. at the Wawa at 8910 Ulmerton Road.
The victim's family spoke exclusively with ABC Actions News at the gas station where it all happened.
Joshua Brookshire, the child’s uncle, tells us the 2008 White GMC 2500 was parked at a gas pump. The child’s father left the car runing with AC on and went inside to get a receipt for his gas. That’s when a stranger, later identified as 33-year-old Adam Vachon, hopped in the car and took off with the child in the back seat.
At the time, several family members were around the car but didn't realize until it was too late that it wasn't the child's father who jumped into the driver's seat.
Brookshire says they immediately dialed 911. Less than half an hour after the truck was stolen, the boy was found at a nearby hotel.
According to Largo Police, Vachon picked up the boy and dropped him off at the hotel telling the boy to go inside and call his mother.
Largo Police found the truck by tracking the GPS on the child’s GizmoWatch. The smartwatch was packed away in luggage still in the truck.
Investigators took the child’s shirt for DNA testing and gave him a Largo PD shirt instead. The child is safe and OK.
After the boy was dropped off at the hotel, the Tampa Police Department found the GMC truck on Lois Avenue North unoccupied. Vachon was seen getting off an elevator and was found sleeping in the entertainment room at an apartment complex.
Vachon turned himself into the Largo Police Department and will be transported to Pinellas County Jail, according to Largo Police.
Police said Vachon confessed to the crime and he is now charged with kidnapping and grand theft auto.
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