CHUBBUCK, Idaho — A 37-year-old Pocatello woman was arrested Sunday night after police say she stole a vehicle with a 1-year-old child inside, an incident that ended with the infant safely reunited with family.
According to police and court records obtained by the Idaho State Journal, Rikki Rae Johnson has been charged with felony grand theft in connection with the incident. Authorities said the stolen vehicle, a silver Kia Sorento, was recovered roughly 10 minutes later with the baby still asleep in the backseat.
The incident occurred shortly before 8 p.m. when a father reported his vehicle stolen from a driveway at a relative’s home on Taylor Avenue. Police said the man was loading items into the car while it warmed up, leaving his child secured in the backseat when the theft occurred.
Officers responding to the scene were notified by dispatch that the vehicle had been located near the intersection of Hiline Road and Reservation Road. Chubbuck police confirmed the infant was unharmed.
Bannock County Sheriff’s deputies assisted in the search for the suspect using K-9 units and a drone. Investigators later contacted a nearby homeowner who said he gave a woman a ride and provided police with a photo captured by a doorbell camera. The woman was later identified as Johnson.
Deputies located Johnson at a trailer near Pocatello Creek Road, where she was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant. Clothing matching the suspect description was found inside the residence, police said.
During questioning, Johnson initially denied involvement but later admitted to taking the vehicle. She told officers she was attempting to escape a domestic altercation and claimed she did not realize a child was inside the car at the time of the theft.
Johnson was booked into the Bannock County Jail on the felony grand theft charge and an outstanding misdemeanor drug-related warrant. Her bond was set at $25,000 during an arraignment Monday before 6th District Magistrate Judge David A. Hooste.
She is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 4 for a preliminary hearing. If convicted, Johnson could face up to 14 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
