$1 million bond: 2 teens charged in Montclair Road carjacking, toddler kidnapping
By Carol Robinson | crobinson@al.com The Birmingham News
Birmingham, AL
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Authorities today announced formal charges against two teens accused in the armed carjacking of a woman at a Birmingham gas station earlier this week.
The woman's two toddlers were in the SUV at the time, and were found safe a short distance away after the accused robber abandoned the vehicle.
Birmingham police today identified the suspects as 17-year-old Ladarius Jackson and Mickey Collin, 19. Jackson is charged with first-degree robbery and two counts of first-degree kidnapping. Collin is charged with first-degree robbery and receiving stolen property, said Birmingham police spokesman Lt. Sean Edwards.
The ordeal began about 1 p.m. Tuesday when the woman was pumping gas at the Chevron service station at 1528 Montclair Road. Police said a man approached the woman's vehicle brandishing a gun, jumped into the car and drove off while the woman's two toddlers were strapped in car seats in the back seat. The carjacking happened so fast, police said, that when the man drove the SUV off the property, the gas pump handle and hose were still in the car.
A few minutes later, police recovered the abandoned vehicle Crest Hill Road and Spring Avenue. The toddlers were safe and returned immediately to their mother. "I think the suspect had some kind of heart," Edwards during a Tuesday press conference. "He realized there were two toddlers inside the car. We're definitely grateful we were able to reunite that mother and father with their kids."
A witness followed the robber from the gas station, and was giving police updates on the phone. He said one of the suspects pointed something at him before fleeing into the woods.
A few minutes later, police received calls from residents in the area about a dark-colored car. Patrolling officers located the vehicle and ran the tags. That vehicle came back stolen. When officers attempted to stop the car, two suspects fled on foot.
A short foot chase ensued, Edwards said, and both men were taken into custody without further incident. The robbery prompted a lockdown at Altamont school, which was still ongoing just before 3 p.m. The robber abandoned the SUV about a half mile away when he realized the children were in the car, and they have since been reunited with their mother.
Both suspects will be held in the Jefferson County Jail. Jackson's bond is set at $1.5 million. Collin is being held on $1 million bond.
Edwards said the community's help, both from the witness who followed the robber and the residents who called about the black vehicle, led to the capture of the two suspects. "We always appreciate help from the community, and today, it likely saved the lives of two children," Edwards said.