HOPEWELL, Va. -- A six-month-old infant was saved and reunited with parents after the car the baby was in was stolen from outside a Wawa convenience store in Hopewell. Two 19-year olds were arrested and charged late Saturday night in connection with the crime.
Hopewell Police were called to the Wawa on Colonial Corner Drive just before 11 p.m. Saturday, June 20 to investigate the stolen vehicle and find the baby.
"As officers were canvassing the area, the car was located traveling North on 6th Avenue and attempted to elude police," a Hopewell Police spokesperson said. "The two offenders fled from the vehicle and leaving the vehicle in drive, causing the vehicle to travel further and come to a stop in the wooded area of a dead-end street. After a brief foot pursuit, both offenders were taken into custody without incident, and a firearm was also recovered. "
The infant was not seriously injured.
Alvontae Lewton Clayton, 19 of Chesterfield, and Andre Cortez Scott, Jr., 19, of Hopewell were charged with abduction, grand larceny, conspiracy, felony child endangerment, and obstruction of justice, according to police. Clayton was additionally charged with eluding. Scott was additionally charged with possession of firearm by felon and possession of ammunition by a felon.
“The quick work by the officers and detectives resulted in the swift arrest of two armed and dangerous perpetrators and saved the infant’s life,"
Hopewell Detective Sergeant Trevor Terry said.
Anyone with information about the incident was asked to call Hopewell Police at 804-541-2284.
