Police issued an Amber Alert at around 5:46 p.m. after Justin Chan’s father left his running 2021 gray Honda Accord with the boy still inside near First Street and Linden Avenue, City News Service reported.
Two young women heard the alert on their phones and began to search.
Reagan Dunn of Huntington Beach told CNS she spotted the car while her friend was driving.
“I was like, wait I just saw a gray Honda Accord, and I saw 8XP, which was the license plate.”
Her friend turned around and parked.
“I called 911. We ran across the street and the license plate matched up.”
According to the police press release, the vehicle was found at around 8:10 p.m. in the 100 block of South Pine Avenue, less than half a mile from where the car was stolen. The boy was unharmed and his parents arrived shortly afterward.
After reviewing surveillance footage, officers arrested Timothy Wood, 34, who is currently homeless, on suspicion of kidnapping, child endangerment and vehicle theft. His bail has been set at $100,000.
Long Beach police said the investigation is ongoing.
