Car stolen while Vancouver dad pleads for baby in back seat

VANCOUVER, Wash. (KPTV) - A man was arrested Saturday at the Vancouver Mall after allegedly stealing a car with a baby in the back seat, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.

John describes the scary moment, just before 8 a.m. Saturday, when his 1-month-old son was kidnapped just a few feet away from where he was standing.

“He opens my car door and I say, ‘my son’s in there,’” John said. “‘Please, my son’s in there. Give my son back, you can have my car, just please give my son back.’”

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John and his wife Ashley own Happy Juice Coffee Shop and Smoothie Bar on Northeast 99th Street in Vancouver. They said they were setting up their food cart on Saturday morning, when the suspect jumped into their car and drove off with their baby.

Jovie Smith, a barista at Happy Juice Coffee Shop and Smoothie Bar, said it was like a scene out of a movie.

“It makes me emotional just thinking about it,” Smith said. “Hearing Ashley scream for her baby. You see it in movies all the time and you never think it’s ever going to happen to you.”

Clark County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were able to locate the car near Northeast 88th Street and Highway 99 with the child still inside and unharmed. The suspect was gone.

Then later that day, the parents said they received an alert.

“Then we noticed he had created transactions at Victoria’s Secret and then Foot Locker,” John said.

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John said they found the suspect at Vancouver Mall and held him long enough for police to arrive.

“I was able to see and spot him up in the JC Penney department store,” John said. “He turned around and started running away, at that point I just detained him as needed.”

CCSO and Vancouver Police arrested the suspect, identified as Mario Andrews.

The family said they’re so grateful to their community and law enforcement for helping to bring their son back safely.

“Definitely, there’s a more deeper feeling of gratitude, that’s for sure,” John said. The family said they’re so grateful to their community and law enforcement for helping to bring their son back safely.

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Andrews’ charges from this case include theft of a motor vehicle, second-degree kidnapping and reckless endangerment. He also faces charges from a previous VPD case that include possession of a stolen vehicle and attempt to elude.

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