Woonsocket Police make arrest in the car theft with a toddler inside from Monday

WOONSOCKET, R.I (WLNE) –  Woonsocket Police have made an arrest in Monday’s car theft where a toddler was in the back seat.

Members of the Woonsocket Police Department responded to Mason Grocery on Elm Street of a stolen Dodge Journey.

Officers were informed that a 2.5-year-old girl was in the vehicle’s back seat at the time of the theft.

Police quickly located the vehicle a short distance away on Sweet Avenue, and an investigation commenced.

Various video footage was gathered and analyzed, and police received a credible tip, leading them to identify the suspect as 35-year-old Derek Franklin of Woonsocket.

Franklin was observed outside his residence, near the Mason Grocery store, where he was taken into custody and charged with Larceny over $1,500.

He appeared before a bail commissioner and was released on $10,000 personal recognizance and will appear in Superior court on August 3, 2021.

The owner of the vehicle was subsequently cited for leaving a motor vehicle unattended.

©WLNE-TV/ABC6 2021