Man charged with kidnapping after carjacking, police chase in Northeast Philly

NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - Police have arrested the man they say is responsible for stealing a car in Northeast Philadelphia with two children inside Thursday evening.

Lakim McDonald, 23, has been charged with the theft of a 2010 Toyota Camry and two counts of kidnapping, among related offenses.

Investigators say a mother left the car running with her 1-year-old and 6-year-old children inside on the 1000 block of Van Kirk Street when the suspect jumped into the car and drove off.

MORE: Children found safe after car theft, chase in Northeast Philadelphia

Police pursued the vehicle as it weaved in and out of traffic on Roosevelt Boulevard around 10 p.m. Officers recovered the vehicle at Castor and East Wyoming Avenues after the suspect crashed it.

Officers swarmed the vehicle in Crescentville, thinking the children were inside. The man had dropped the children off earlier, however, on the 4700 block of Darrah Street.

Police were called to the scene and quickly moved in to pick up the children, who were unharmed.