NCSO: Man arrested after stealing truck with 2 kids inside, apprehended by K9 after running away

NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. — A man is behind bars after deputies said he stole a truck with two children inside.

The man, who was later identified as Ivan Fox, was charged with carjacking, felony fleeing and eluding, and other charges that have not yet been named, according to a Facebook post from the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office.

STORY: 7 injured, 1 dead in major crash in Baker County

On Saturday at 5:50 a.m., deputies were called to a gas station on U.S. Highway 1. The victim told deputies Fox jumped into his truck -- where his two children, ages 4 and 11 were inside -- and drove off about 150 feet.

Fox then stopped to let the children out of the vehicle, before continuing to drive into Georgia and then back into Hilliard.

STORY: Toddler dies after going over waterfall in North Carolina

NCSO said Fox ditched the truck and ran away and was later apprehended by NCSO K9 Rouge and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office K9s, who assisted with the search.

K9 Rouge’s handler, Deputy Beth Smith, said she utilized a K9 scent kit via an absorption method to catch Fox, who was in custody by 7:29 a.m.

STORY: Florida Department of Health is urging vaccinations against Meningococcal Disease

©2022 Cox Media Group