A heartwarming incident happened on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, as a missing four-year-old reunited with his family. Well, that was thanks to the fast actions of two women who received an Amber alert about the abducted child.
The California Highway Patrol issued a compelling alert for an abducted child in Long Beach. Also, they urged the public to stay vigilant and provided details about a stolen gray Honda Accord. Additionally, they revealed that young Justin Chan was inside when thieves stole the vehicle. Notably, the incident happened when the boy’s parents left the car running during a delivery.
On Tuesday evening, the alert traveled across phones in Los Angeles and Orange countries, broadcasting the urgent message about the abducted child. In California, the Highway Patrol reserves Amber alerts for confirmed cases. This involves the abduction of children or people with mental or physical disabilities.
Thankfully, on getting the alert, two friends, Reagan Dunn and Yenni Lu, were nearby. Immediately, they decided to locate the missing child, as they shared with ABC7. Unbothered by the initial 10 minutes of futile searching, Dunn and Lu pressed on.
ALSO READ: Alaska Woman Receives 99-Year Sentence for Killing Friend in Murder-for-Hire Scheme
Furthermore, as they were driving, Dunn shared, “I glanced over, and I was like, wait, I just saw a gray Honda Accord, and I saw 8xp, which was the license plate.” She continued, “She turned around, and we parked over there. I called 911, and as we ran across the street, the license plate matched up.”
Notably, despite the absence of anyone around the car, Lu informed the Long Beach Post that they noticed young Chan in the backseat. The duo waited closely until law enforcement officers arrived to ensure the boy’s safety.
Media footage captured police surrounding the vehicle and the boy reuniting with his father. The footage showed an officer carefully placing Chan into his father’s arms. There, the young boy gently touched his father’s face, seemingly wiping away tears.
The resolution was fast, and the Amber alert was officially canceled approximately an hour after issuance. Moreover, authorities also confirmed that they found Chan, ending the sad incident. Reagan Dunn said, “We were just doing the right thing, something anyone else should do.”
ALSO READ: Florida Police Arrest 11-Year-Old for Allegedly Bringing Handgun to School
The commendable acts of Dunn and Lu did not go unnoticed. The Mayor of Long Beach, Rex Richardson, praised them. Acknowledging them, he said, “I want to thank the two remarkable young women who spotted the vehicle last night in Long Beach. Your courage and quick actions are commendable.”
Officers used security camera footage to trace the suspect, leading to the arrest of 34-year-old Timothy Wood, a homeless individual. They arrested Wood near the location where they found the car. Facing severe charges, Wood was booked for kidnapping, child endangerment, and stolen vehicle.
His bail is $100,000. The California Highway Patrol stated on its website that an Amber Alert is the “most serious alert” issued for children. While the investigation is still pending, officers urge anyone with additional information to contact the Long Beach police at 562-435-6711.
You Might Also Like:
Authorities Record Fatalities in Shooting Incident During Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl Celebration
Dolly Parton Urges Fans To “Forgive and Forget” Elle King’s Controversial Opry Performance
Florida Police Arrest 11-Year-Old for Allegedly Bringing Handgun to School
Alaska Woman Receives 99-Year Sentence for Killing Friend in Murder-for-Hire Scheme
