AMARILLO, TEXAS -- A toddler was found in a car with three burglary suspects Thursday afternoon. Police acting on a tip about a burglary in progress, were able to quickly locate the suspects vehicle thanks to some quick thinking witnesses, but when officers approached the vehicle they not only found the stolen items they also found a two-year-old.
It all started around 1:20 when witnesses reported the burglary in the 3200 block of Fleetwood. The witnesses said they saw a man enter the home, and he was taking items out of the house and placing them near the alley. Another man was seen outside of the car being a lookout while also placing the stolen items inside the car. The car was also occupied by another man. The suspects got in the car and took off. Witnesses were able to get a vehicle description, tag number, and a direction of travel.
Officers located and stopped the vehicle at 3224 Janet. One suspect got out of the vehicle and took off running. The other two men stayed in the car and were taken into custody. The suspect that ran was found and also taken into custody.
A stolen TV and shotgun were found in the car and released to the owner. The 2-year-old was also in the car. The toddler was reportedly being watched by one of the suspects while the his mother was at work. Lt. Terry Lichtie said the 2-year-old boy was unharmed in his booster seat in a car, amid laptops, cameras, televisions and weapons. The child was released to his mother.
All three suspects were taken to the police department and questioned. Eric Scott Bell, 24, and Nathan Charles Moore, 18, both of Amarillo were arrested and booked into the Randall County Jail on a charge of burglary of a habitation.
The third suspect has been released at this time, however additional charges are pending on all three suspects as part of a burglary ring investigation.
