Mackenzie Switzer (Credit: Kenner Police Department)
KENNER, La. - Police in Louisiana said a 10-year-old was able to escape unharmed after jumping out of a vehicle that was stolen.
The backstory:
The Kenner Police Department said the series of incidents unfolded earlier this week.
Officers said the suspect, Mackenzie Switzer, went to a local business in a stolen Chevy Malibu reported out of New Orleans.
The suspect ditched the stolen Malibu and got into a running Nissan Rogue in the same parking lot — a vehicle that still had the victim’s 10-year-old son inside.
Police said he fled eastbound on Veterans Blvd. with the child still in the car.
While the vehicle was moving, the child opened the door and leaped to safety uninjured.
Officers tracked down the stolen Rogue using the child’s cellphone, which was still inside the vehicle.
Kenner Police later found the Rogue at a Metairie car dealership, where they discovered Switzer attempting to enter another vehicle on the lot.
He was taken into custody without incident.
Switzer now faces multiple charges in connection with the Kenner incident, including illegal possession of stolen things for the New Orleans–based stolen vehicle, carjacking, simple kidnapping, and several related traffic violations.
What they're saying:
"We are incredibly grateful that this child is safe and uninjured." police said in a Facebook post. "This incident serves as an important reminder to never leave a running vehicle unattended, especially with children inside."
The Source: All information in this story comes from statements released by the Kenner Police Department. This story was reported from Los Angeles.