29-year-old man arrested in connection with 2 children kidnapped in stolen car near Flint

Mother ran inside gas station for cigarettes as man steals car holding children

BURTON, Mich. – A 29-year-old man was arrested Wednesday in connection with an amber alert prompted by two children who were kidnapped inside a stolen car.

The Amber Alert for the 2-year-old girl and her 9-month-old brother was issued early Wednesday morning. The children were found more than three hours later inside the car in Flint.

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At about 7 a.m. Wednesday, their mother, Kaytlin Fletcher, was faced with one of the worst possible situations for any parent. She had run in to buy cigarettes from the Admiral Gas Station on South Saginaw Street in Burton. The two children -- Arinna and Lincoln -- were left in the car.

Fletcher watched helplessly as a man walked up to the car and drove away. 

"I was in the front right by the window, right by the door. I ran in to get cigarettes, of all things, and on my way out I see a heavier-set, tall, black male ... in a red hoodie," she said. 

That sparked an all-out search for the car and the two little kids. Finally, more than three hours later, the car was found with the kids inside safe. The thief apparently parked it along a road.

The family is elated. The kids are with their parents.

Stay with ClickOnDetroit.com for updates.


About the Authors:

Local 4 Defender Shawn Ley is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has been with Local 4 News for more than a decade.

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.