FRIENDSWOOD, Texas – Police have arrested the man they say stole a car with two children inside.
It all started around 11 a.m. Wednesday in the parking lot of the Kroger grocery store on FM 528 and Bay Area Boulevard in Friendswood.
Police said a grandfather had gone inside a gas station when another man approached the vehicle and drove off with a 3-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy, inside.
As the man drove off, the teen jumped out of the car and started chasing it. That's when police said the suspect pulled back into the Wendy's parking lot and dropped off the little girl.
A passer-by realized what was going on and rammed into the suspect's stolen vehicle as he tried to speed away.
"This man pulled over and he said, 'Is that your car? ' And I said , 'Yes ... That's my niece in there. Go get him, please,'" said 14-year-old Damon Hasty.
Damon Hasty's father said he was grateful both children were okay. He also wanted to thank the witnesses who stepped in to help.
"I just thank God. I'm glad they were there and they helped me save the kids," said Ben Hasty.
Police said the man drove off in the victim's 1999 white Buick LeSabre. Police said an officer saw the stolen Buick in the 4600 block of E. Nasa Parkway and pulled it over.
The suspect , Thomas Miller McKellen, 39, was arrested and the vehicle was towed back to the police station. He is facing charges of kidnapping and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.