Kidnapped Children Rescued By Hillsborough Sheriff's Deputy: Video

TAMPA, FL — The quick action of a Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy prevented a man from getting away with stealing a pickup truck with two young children inside Tuesday night.

At 6:42 p.m., Deputy Jonathan Pazmino Alvarez was flagged down by the truck's driver near East 137th Avenue and North 15th Street in Tampa telling him that his truck had just been stolen and his two children, ages 4 and 8, were inside.

Alvarez immediately pursued the 2011 white Chevrolet Silverado, and without losing sight of the truck, was able to conduct a traffic stop within just a few minutes.

Alvarez caught the arrest on body-worn camera. In the video, the 8-year-old can be heard saying telling the deputy, "He's not my dad."

The man accused of stealing the truck is 37-year-old Kevin Smith. He initially was hesitant to get out of the truck, telling the deputy he was afraid he was going to punch him. He eventually got out of the truck and was arrested without incident.

The two children were returned safely to their father.

Smith faces one count of grand theft motor vehicle and two counts of felony kidnapping. He has a criminal history dating back to 2003 in Hillsborough County and is currently being held at the Falkenburg Road Jail without bond.

"This situation could've been a lot worse had it not been for the swift action taken by Deputy Pazmino Alvarez. He halted what could have been an otherwise terrifying situation for any parent," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Thanks to him, two children are safe and in the arms of their loved ones today."