Child safe, vehicle located after both stolen in Spokane Valley Wednesday morning

A mother making a stop at a Spokane Valley gas station Wednesday morning returned to find her car – and child – missing.

Spokane County sheriff’s deputies say the woman left her car idling at Sam’s Stop and Shop, 12309 E. Mansfield Ave., near Pines Road, with her 8-year-old daughter in the back seat when she entered the store for a few minutes. At about 6:20 a.m., an unidentified man reportedly hopped into the driver’s seat and sped away.

Deputies said in a news release that the child was located about 10 minutes later after running to an area residence. The vehicle was found parked in a cul-de-sac at the west end of Marietta Lane, north of the Eagle Point Apartments.

“The child, who was uninjured, said she ran from the vehicle when the male stopped a short distance away,” the news release said.

Deputies searched the area with K-9 units and helicopters but were unable to find the man, the release said. Surveillance video provided by the sheriff’s office shows the suspected kidnapper wearing a black Las Vegas Raiders hat, a blue or black sweatshirt with the letters “ACH” on the front, and gray shorts. He has short brown hair and a goatee.

Detectives ask anyone with information to call Detective Darin Staley at (509) 477-3160 or Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.