A toddler who was abducted in Long Beach was found safe Tuesday night. The suspect, however, is still on the run.
The child was identified as Justin Chan, a 4-year-old boy, according to the California Highway Patrol.
At the time, the boy was taken near Linden Avenue and 1st Street at around 5:46 p.m., activating an AMBER Alert.
He was in the backseat of his family’s car when his father stepped outside to drop off a DoorDash delivery while leaving the engine running, according to Long Beach police.
That’s when a suspect hopped into the driver’s seat and drove away while the boy was still inside the 2021 gray-colored Honda Accord sedan.
Shortly before 8 p.m., police located the stolen car on Pine Avenue near The Pike Outlets shopping mall in Long Beach. Sky5 images show the vehicle being surrounded by multiple police cars from several agencies.
Two good Samaritans who received the AMBER Alert said when they spotted the stolen car abandoned on the road, they immediately rushed over.
“We drove like a spaz trying to see whether that was the right car or not,” said Yenny Lu, a good Samaritan.
“When I thought I saw the car, I called the police,” recalled Reagan Dunn, the other good Samaritan. “We turned around to make sure and the license plate matched.”
As officers swarmed in on the vehicle, the young boy was seen being safely removed from the car and being checked for any injuries. His father was also at the scene and was reunited with the boy.
The suspect remains on the run and no description has been provided by authorities so far.
Dunn said the boy’s mother told them she was very thankful for their quick actions to report the vehicle.
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson released a statement on X, saying:
“Thanks to the heroic efforts of our first responders, Justin Chan has been found safe and reunited with his family. I want to recognize and thank @LBPD and @CHPsouthern for their quick response and effective coordination that led to the rescue of this young boy.”
The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Long Beach police at 562-435-6711.
Footage of the boy’s rescue can be seen in the video player above.