Atlanta Police Recover Stolen Vehicle, Rescue Toddler in Under 15 Minutes Using License Plate Readers
ATLANTA, Ga. – Atlanta police arrested a 21-year-old man Thursday after officers used license plate reader technology to quickly locate a stolen vehicle with a 2-year-old child still inside.
The incident occurred at approximately 4:36 p.m. on July 30 in the 900 block of Spring Street NW.
According to the Atlanta Police Department, officers responded to reports of a vehicle theft and kidnapping after a vehicle was stolen while left running with a 2-year-old child inside.
Officers assigned to the department’s Auto Crimes Enforcement Unit immediately began searching for the vehicle.
Using the city’s license plate reader camera network, officers located the stolen vehicle, the suspect and the child in less than 15 minutes.
Police said the toddler was unharmed and safely reunited with her parents.
Investigators identified the suspect as 21-year-old Saleem Martin.
Martin was arrested and charged with:
- Kidnapping
- Theft by Taking
- Simple Battery
- Entering an Automobile
- Cruelty to Children
- Criminal Attempt to Commit a Felony
The investigation remains ongoing.
