Wichita Police Department has confirmed that they have arrested 30-year-old Tyler Kirkhart for stealing a car with two children who were under the age of 4. He was wearing a blue-hooded sweatshirt and had facial hair along with a blue cap.
This was at 4p.m. on West 31st Street South at QuikTrip near 31st street South and Seneca. Tyler was arrested later that day with charges of two counts of kidnapping, two counts of child endangerment, two counts of interference with parental custody and deprivation of property stemming from an auto theft investigation.
Tyler had offered to help the woman by airing up her tires.
“The guy comes over and offers to help her and then shows her how to take the cap off her tire. As soon as she starts messing with the air, he goes around and get in the car and locks the door so she can’t get her kids…” witness, Tyler Nathan Thompson mentioned. “He drives off, she’s holding onto the car as best she can, just screaming. I ran over to her and called the police.”
It took seconds for the man to get in the car and lock it.
“It wasn’t my opinion, negligence on her part at all,” he said.
The police reported that the vehicle with the children inside 40 minutes later. Inside the vehicle were the woman’s 3-year-old daughter and infant son in car seats while Kirkhart took the car.
“He then got into the vehicle and left the southbound. Officers from all over the city began looking for the vehicle. A short time later officers located the vehicle abandoned in the 3500 block of south St. Franics The children were located inside the vehicle and unharmed.” The WPD said.
The WDP officers were able to identify Kirkhart and he was found on the 700 block of West Lockwood. Police will present the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office and determine formal charges.
