Police: Man steals vehicle with 2-year-old in car seat, leaves child at Salvation Army

ELIZABETH, N.J. -- A man is under arrest in New Jersey after police say he stole an SUV with a 2-year-old girl in the back seat.

Authorities say the Carlos Rodriguez had stopped at Arthur's Auto Sales on Chestnut Street in Elizabeth around 1 p.m. Wednesday to drop off a payment in the purchase of a car.

His brother was in a car parked behind his Honda Pilot, and he left 2-year-old Balerie in the car seat, asking his brother to watch the vehicle. And when he went inside, that's when police say the suspect, identified as 49-year-old Andre McKainion, hopped in and drove off.

Police say he traveled about a half mile before realizing the child was in the backseat. So he pulled over, took the car seat out of the car with Balerie inside, and left it on the sidewalk in front of the Salvation Army on East Jersey Street. He then got back in the Pilot and sped off.

Someone at the Salvation Army saw the child and called police.

An Elizabeth police sergeant, Francis Gallagher, spotted the car in the neighborhood and gave chase. Authorities were able to surround the vehicle on Walnut Street, which is when they say McKainion got out and fled on foot, left the SUV in reverse and causing it to crash into several parked cars.

Officers gave chase on foot, and the suspect was taken into custody.

Balerie was reunited with his father and is shaken, but OK.

"I was scared because I didn't know if was going to get my daughter right away," Carlos said through a translator. "I didn't care about the car, I just wanted my daughter back. I was scared. I couldn't imagine being without my daughter."

The Honda Pilot is being processed at Elizabeth police headquarters, and the investigation is ongoing. No charges are expected against the father.

McKainion, of Newark, faces a host of charges including first-degree carjacking, second-degree eluding police, third-degree theft of a motor vehicle, third-degree receiving stolen property, among others.

Salvation Army's Divisional Commander Major Ivan K. Rock released the following statement:

"We are so grateful that we could play a role in ensuring the safety of this child. Our employees acted quickly and contacted the appropriate authorities. The Salvation Army will continue to support the investigation."