- March 28, 2024
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UPDATE: The stolen vehicle was located shortly after the carjacking and the toddler is safe. Ocoee Police Deputy Chief Saima Plasencia said the child's mother was either getting into or out of her car when the suspect approached her.
"She fought with him, but despite her best efforts the subject was able to get away with the car with her 2-year-old in the backseat," Plasencia said. "…He is arrested for carjacking, abduction and there will be some other subsequent charges from the Ocoee Police Department. There will also be some charges from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office."
The child's grandmother, Betty Ferguson, briefly spoke during a press conference held by Ocoee police.
"When my daughter called me (after the carjacking) I didn't know what to think," Ferguson said. "My grandson, he’s 2 years old. What do you do when you're 2 years old? I couldn't think…I’m just so happy he’s alive."
Ferguson said her grandson was taken to the hospital for evaluation and is OK.
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Ocoee police are searching for a car with a 2-year-old boy in the backseat that was stolen in a carjacking Friday, Jan. 11.
The car was stolen at Good Homes Plaza on West Colonial Drive and Good Homes Road, police said. It is described as a white, two-door 2004 Oldsmobile Alero with Florida tag 903XGU.
According to police, the suspect is described as a "thick, black male with dreadlocks," approximately 5 feet 9 inches and 28 to 30 years old.
Police are asking the community to call 911 immediately if anyone sees the car.