A child is safe and a suspect is now facing multiple felony charges following a car theft incident earlier this month that sparked a multi-city police search.
The incident occurred around 1 a.m. on April 10 at a gas station near Seven Mile and Grand River in Detroit. A man left his vehicle running while going inside the gas station , unaware a suspect would jump into the car and drive off — with a child still in the back seat.
Authorities say the suspect sped off, leading officers from Detroit, Michigan State Police, and more on a search.
Novi Police became involved when the suspect crashed the vehicle into a disabled car along I-96 near Novi Road. He then fled on foot but was later arrested.
Body camera footage recently obtained from Novi officers shows them finding the little 8-year-old boy in the back seat of the car.
The child, who was inside the car during the entire incident, was unharmed and later reunited with family after being evaluated at a local hospital.
The suspect, identified as 53-year-old Stephan Smith, was arraigned on April 11. He faces multiple charges including:
• Car-jacking
• Unlawful Driving Away of a Motor Vehicle
• Receiving and Concealing a Stolen Motor Vehicle
• Habitual Offender – Fourth Offense Notice
The investigation remains ongoing.
