Boy, 9, Kidnapped In Theft Of Pickup Truck: Hamden Police

HAMDEN, CT — Police say a pickup truck was stolen, with a 9-year-old boy inside, from the Family Dollar parking lot Saturday afternoon in Hamden. The incident led to an Amber Alert being issued and the boy was located after the suspects ditched him at McDonald’s, according to police. The incident began unfolding at about 4:30 p.m. on July 20 when police responded to the parking lot at 1245 Dixwell Ave. on the report of a vehicle theft, involving a kidnapping, according to Capt. Ronald Smith.

Smith said a 62-year-old Hamden resident had entered Family Dollar, 1245 Dixwell Ave., to “shop for a couple of items.” While shopping, he left his 9-year-old grandson inside of his vehicle, a gray 2005 Ford F150, which was “running,” according to Smith.

When the grandfather returned to his vehicle, it had been stolen, with his grandson seated inside. Moments later, officers located the boy at McDonald’s, 2300 Dixwell Ave., according to Smith.

Smith said a “Good Samaritan” saw that the child was alone and upset and called police. Officers learned that a woman entered the “running” pickup truck and drove it to the Hamden Mart where she met with a man that entered the vehicle. The woman then ordered the 9-year-old boy to get out of the vehicle, according to Smith.

The suspects are described as a black female in her 20s, with a slim build, “ear length black curls” and was wearing a peach-colored shirt and a black male with a thin build, “with puffy hair on top”, wearing a peach-colored shirt.

The Department of Children and Families has been notified of the incident, according to Smith. Police are continuing the investigation.