A parents worst nightmare occurred in Florida when a man stole a truck with two children inside.
The potentially dangerous situation took place in Tampa, Florida, when Deputy Jonathan Pazmino Alvarez was flagged down by a man who said his 2011 white Chevrolet Silverado was stolen with his kids inside.
Knowing that every second mattered, Officer Alvarez quickly jumped into action to try and rescue the kids. “Stop the truck now!” Deputy Alvarez ordered through his police cruisers speaker system.
Thankfully the officer was close by as he chased the truck and, within minutes, was able to pull the driver over.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, 37-year-old Kevin Smith, was allegedly operating the vehicle.
Video footage of the incident captured by the officers body cam shows Smith somewhat resistant to exit the truck. Smith can be heard saying, “It’s not me.”
Smith was then exclaiming his fears the officer would “punch” him if he exited the truck.
Shockingly, the children remained calm and one of the children inside can also be heard saying, “That’s not my dad” several times before Officer Alvarez was able to calmly extract Smith and place him in handcuffs.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, one of the children also told the deputy, “This guy robbed my dad’s car.”
Smith was arrested and faces felony kidnapping and grand theft motor vehicle charges.
The two children ages 4 and 8, were safely returned without incident and were unharmed.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said the situation could have been much worse had Alvarez not taken such “swift” and pointed action.
“Thanks to him, two children are safe and in the arms of their loved ones today,” Chronister said.
Smith reportedly has a criminal history dating back to 2003. Smith is currently incarcerated at the Falkenburg Road Jail without bond in Hillsborough County.
