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Listen to 911 calls after police say man stole car in Manchester with a child in backseat

State Police spotted the car on I-84 in Hartford after it was stolen in Manchester; child returned safely to mother.

MANCHESTER, Connecticut — Another stolen car in Connecticut, but this one came with a terrifying twist. 

At 3:15 p.m. Saturday, Manchester Police were notified that a car was stolen from a gas station on 404 Hartford Road -- with a toddler still in the backseat. 

Police immediately notified surrounding towns and Connecticut State Police soon spotted the stolen vehicle in Hartford I-84 West. They and Hartford Police located the vehicle at the bottom of the Founders Bridge. 

The suspect, later identified as 36-year-old Leonel Colon-Ortiz of East Hartford, attempted to flee on foot. But Colon-Ortiz was quickly apprehended, and the child was found still in the vehicle, unharmed, and was reunited with his mother.

Police say Colon-Ortiz was in possession of several bags of suspected heroin, drug paraphernalia, and a large kitchen knife that was tucked into his waistband.

Colon-Ortiz was charged with Larceny, Kidnapping (2nd Degree), Risk of Injury, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and other drug, weapons, and motor vehicle violations. He is currently being held on a $200,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on 10/22/2020.

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