SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon in connection with a carjacking with children in the vehicle.
Just before 4p.m. Monday police were dispatched to an abduction in the 1000 block of West 31st St South in Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch.
When police arrived on the scene, they learned a suspect later identified as 30-year-old Tyler Kirkhart, a man with nearly two dozen convictions over the past ten years, stole a white 2015 Chevy Cruz from a 26-year-old woman.
The woman's 3-year-old daughter and infant son were in car seats in the back when the vehicle was stolen.
The woman was attempting to air up her tires when Kirkhart offered to help. He then got into the vehicle and left the area traveling southbound.
Officers from all over the city began looking for the vehicle. A short time later officers located the vehicle abandoned in the 3500 block of South St. Francis. The children were located inside the vehicle and unharmed.
Officers continued to work to identify the suspect. Information was shared through all media outlets as well as the department to locate the suspect.
Within a few hours, officers located him in the 700 block of West Lockwood and took him into custody on requested charges of Kidnapping, Child Endangerment, Interference with parental custody and deprivation of property stemming from an Auto Theft investigation.
Kirkhart has been convicted of theft, burglary, aggravated weapons violations, criminal damage to property, aggravated escape and for drugs. He has been in an out of jail since 2011.
The case will be presented to the District Attorney’s Office in the coming weeks.