Aurora police identify suspect in vehicle theft that led to Amber Alert
DENVER (KDVR) — Aurora police arrested a Fort Collins man accused of kidnapping a 6-year-old while stealing a car from a gas station parking lot.
The arrest followed hectic moments outside the 7-Eleven as police searched for the occupied, stolen Jeep. Hugs made the rounds near officers’ cruisers as worry mounted, and then the Amber Alert was issued.
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Thankfully, the night ended with the little girl safely back in her mother’s arms and a suspect in custody.
Aurora police said Kirk Abercrombie, 35, of Fort Collins, was booked into the Aurora Detention Center on Monday morning on suspicion of second-degree kidnapping and felony motor vehicle theft.
The Aurora Police Department originally alerted the public at about 9:40 p.m. on Sunday, April 21. The alert said a child was inside a Jeep Grand Cherokee stolen from a gas station near Havana Street and Iliff Avenue. Police say a mother had gone into the convenience store and left the motor running before the Jeep was stolen.
Police issued an Amber Alert at about 10:30 p.m. on April 21.
“We didn’t know if the little girl had been dropped off anywhere and car was still moving or if she was still in the car like this was the case,” Aurora Police Public Information Officer Matthew Longshore said.
After an hour and 22 minutes of searching for the missing child, the Aurora department reported that the suspect was in custody with the help of the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, and safely rescued the child. According to Longshore, the arrest was partially due to the mother leaving her phone in the car, which “proved to be very helpful” to officers.
An Amber Alert has been issued Sunday as the Aurora police department is searching for a vehicle that was stolen from a gas station with a 6-year-old inside. (KDVR) An Amber Alert has been issued Sunday as the Aurora police department is searching for a vehicle that was stolen from a gas station with a 6-year-old inside. (KDVR) An Amber Alert has been issued Sunday as the Aurora police department is searching for a vehicle that was stolen from a gas station with a 6-year-old inside. (KDVR) An Amber Alert has been issued Sunday as the Aurora police department is searching for a vehicle that was stolen from a gas station with a 6-year-old inside. (KDVR)
FOX31’s Vicente Arenas spoke to the clerk who was at the store when the child was taken in the stolen car.
“Police come here and ask to see our camera and we helped police,” the clerk said.
Police said the video helped them track the stolen Jeep and identify a suspect, which led to the child safely going home. But police are warning parents and guardians to be careful.
“No matter how quickly you think you’re gonna go run an errand or go inside of a convenience store, seconds matter,” Longshore said.
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The child’s mother offered a statement of thanks to all the agencies involved.
“To everyone involved – Aurora Police Department, Larimer County Sheriff’s, Loveland Police Department and Thornton Police Department and all officers involved – we are so grateful for the fast-acting response. Y’all are the heroes! Thank you for bringing my baby back safe to my arms. Thank you for the Amber Alert and for the fast social media awareness. We are just so grateful,” she said.
The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office will prosecute the case and will determine which, if any, charges are filed.
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