Man Accused Of Carjacking Van With Mother, Children Inside

PINELLAS PARK, FL — Pinellas Park Police have arrested a man accused of carjacking a van with two children inside and his 6-year-old nephew in tow.

Around 7:30 p.m. Friday, officers responded to the McDonald's at 7001 U.S 19 N. where a man attempted to carjack two vehicles in the parking lot of the restaurant and then successfully carjacked a 2009 Kia Sedona van with a mother and two children inside.

A short distance later, the carjacker forced the mother and two children out of the vehicle and fled.

The mother was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. The children were not injured.

Police identified the carjacker as Frederick Canady, 21. At the time of the carjacking, Canady had his 6-year-old nephew, Marquis Perkins, in his care. The boy had been with his uncle throughout the day and arrived with him at the McDonald’s on a bicycle.

The motive for the carjacking is unknown at this time. Canady took his nephew with him when he carjacked the van and an Amber Alert was subsequently issued for the child.

Early Saturday morning, detectives obtained information about a possible location for Canady and his nephew. Several law enforcement agencies across Pinellas County began searching the area and found the van on U.S. 19 near Curlew Road. Canady abandoned the van in a neighborhood near U.S. 19 North and Main Street.

Officers found the 6-year-old nearby and reunited him with his mother. He had no injuries.

Moments later, Canady was found and arrested. He was charged with attempted carjacking, carjacking and four counts of kidnapping.