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28-year-old arrested for auto theft, kidnapping in Sunday night's Northwest Bakersfield car theft

Posted at 8:59 AM, Oct 10, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-10 21:28:48-04

At 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 9, 2016, a mom left her car running with her sleeping 4-year-old son inside at the AMPM on Rosedale Highway and Jet Way near the Lowe's.

When she went inside to pay, someone jumped in the car and took off with her son still sleeping in the back seat.

A short time later, a man called Bakersfield police to say he found the car at Rio Bravo Drive and Hartman Avenue. The child, still sleeping, was inside. 

BPD said through their investigation they were lead to a home in the 3000 block of Boulder Ln near N Half Moon and Ashe Rd. There they arrested 28-year-old Tyler Armstrong of Bakersfield was for auto theft, kidnapping and child endangerment.

Sergeant Gary Carruesco with BPD said the department will not submit charges to the district attorney for the mother who left her son in the car. 

"Her intent wasn't for any harm to happen to that child. She simply thought it was too cold outside, the child was asleep and she was literally walking feet away to go inside the business. I think she learned a valuable lesson here, as have others in the past," said Sgt. Carruesco. 

Police initially did not know if the male who called police was the same person who took the vehicle, but later determined that it was not the Armstrong, but the Sgt. Carruesco said Armstrong is somehow related to the person who called police to tell them were the car was left. 

Anyone with information regarding the case is encouraged to call the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111.