Man arrested in California for allegedly stealing car with two children inside Christmas night

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — A man was arrested in Mountain View, California, for allegedly stealing a car that had two children inside on Christmas night, according to officials.

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Mountain View Police Department said in a news release that at around 7:30 p.m. Sunday, a woman called dispatch to report that her Toyota sedan was stolen near Dana and Castro streets. She had reportedly parked it and ran inside quickly to get some food while her two children — a 7-year-old and a 13-year-old —remained inside the car.

While the woman was inside the store, a man who was later identified as Francisco Reynoso, allegedly began to drive away with the two children in the car screaming, according to MVPD.

MVPD said that Reynoso reportedly told the children to get out of the car and they did so right before he drove away.

Police were able to track the car in Palo Alto and officers conducted a traffic stop at Wilton Avenue and Ordina Street, according to KRON.

MVPD said no one was injured. Reynoso was reportedly arrested for multiple outstanding warrants, carjacking, felony child endangerment and kidnapping.

Reynoso was detained without incident, according to KRON.

“I am very proud of the quick work of our dispatchers and our patrol teams last night, and I am grateful no one was hurt in this incident,” said Captain Scott Nelson in the news release. “Kudos to all who helped peacefully resolve this scary situation so quickly.”

No further information has been released.

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