:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-cmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/PVSWWCDGSFUMLVA6ZJ2G4RRH3Q.jpg)
CLAYTON, N.C. — Police say a man who stole a car with two children inside at a gas station in North Carolina hadn't realized they were in the back seat and helped return them to their parents unharmed.
News outlets quote a statement from Clayton police as saying 22-year-old Brian Keith Allen Jr. was charged with stealing a car and second-degree kidnapping.
:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-cmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/PVSWWCDGSFUMLVA6ZJ2G4RRH3Q.jpg)
(Brian Keith Allen)
Police say the mother of the children, ages 7 and 3, had left them in the running car at a gas pump Saturday night. Police say the station is well-lit and in a popular shopping area.
The mother's phone was in the car and Allen let the 7-year-old call an uncle. The children were picked up at Allen's home and he was arrested.
It's unclear if he has a lawyer who could comment.
Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:
- Kannapolis mom walked in on man molesting 7-year-old, deputies say
- Massive fire destroys leasing office, clubhouse at east Charlotte apartments
- 'It's the best feeling to think about': Paralyzed SC teen learning to walk again
- WATCH: Subway apologizes after video shows Concord worker hitting, cursing at woman
- Woman charged with murder after man found shot to death in apartment
Associated Press
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/BGQFTM2RRBEGNBQ5CZP3Y3QVTE.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/Z6STAYQ53BDENL5V6BRBE7BSHA.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/QHQCZ7TW6FEKXCYWUTB7ZSEXAQ.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/RXSQXJ5TBJEXRGWTPSN74OCJXM.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/2UDMTFWR3ZF6LKTJ335CGTRCLU.jpg)