Houston man says his car was stolen with his kids inside

HOUSTON, Texas (FOX 26) - A simple stop at the gas station turned into one Deandrea Barnes says he will never forget. At about 11:00 am Friday he ran into the Shell station off Westheimer and 610 to get his three kids some apple juice.

“I’m watching the car and but the split second I look back out and somebody jumped in the car so as they jumped in the car I took off with the car and I beat on the window as they hopped on the little freeway telling them to stop and all that but he kept going”, says Barnes.

A few witnesses say they too saw the suspect take off with the car and describe him as a white man with black wear, that had jeans and a white or black shirt on.

Shawndarieian Thompson says, “and then with like in three seconds I heard tires screech and he was like oh crap my car my kids my kids so he went chasing the guy down the street”.

“I saw him running across the street I mean in distress we did not understand what had happened like I said when he was able to catch his breath he let us know that his car was stolen and that his three sons were in the backseat of the car”, says Adrian Garnett.

Luckily Barnes says the suspect stopped at the CVS across the highway and let the kids out.

Barnes’ son Desmond describes what happened, “when I was in the car and then I saw a guy and then he took the car and he he just went in that parking lot and he left us there and he went that way and then I think you went that way”.

The witnesses say to please officer showed up shortly after and filled out a report. At the end of the day Barnes says he could care less about the Buick LeSabre he just lost and is more grateful to know his kids are okay.

Barnes says, “being more careful you know what I’m saying it’s wild out here in the matter of a second things could be turned another way on you”.

Texas law does state that it is illegal to leave your car with the keys in the ignition. Barnes was driving a 2008 red Buick LeSabre. The suspect is still on the loose anyone with any information was asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713–222 – TIPS.