Two teens arrested after car stolen in Birmingham with two boys inside

The vehicle was stopped less than 15 minutes later

Author: Matt MaddrenPublished 21st Feb 2021
Last updated 21st Feb 2021

Two teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of kidnap, after a car was stolen in Birmingham with the owner’s two children still inside.

Police say they were alerted to the 'shocking incident' just after 5pm yesterday (Saturday) when the children’s distraught dad reported his car had been stolen off his driveway in Birmingham with his two young boys, aged two and four, still inside.

Officers from response, traffic and firearms were immediately dispatched along with our dog units and the helicopter to take part in the search.

At one point the stolen car was seen driving the wrong way down a dual carriageway, but armed officers were able to bring it to a halt on the A38 Bristol Road near Belgrave Interchange.

This was less than 15 minutes after the car was stolen.

Both children were found safe and well inside the car and reunited with their parents at the roadside.

Two suspects, both aged 15, ran from the vehicle, but were quickly detained and arrested by officers.

They’re now in custody, where they're being questioned on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and kidnap.

Force Incident Manager, Chief Inspector Lee Wiggan said:

“This type of incident is every parent’s worst nightmare, but thankfully we were able to stop the car and reunite the family less than fifteen minutes after it was stolen.

“It’s a fantastic outcome to what was a very serious, urgent incident and my thanks go to the officers involved as well as West Midlands Ambulance Service for their support."