DE SOTO COUNTY, Fla. — A Kissimmee man, Jerome Ralph Garvin, was arrested on Wednesday after allegedly stealing a vehicle and kidnapping two 4-year-old boys from LaBelle, Florida.
The Incident and Pursuit
The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office received a Be On the Look Out (BOLO) alert for the stolen vehicle, which matched the description of the vehicle involved in the kidnapping of the two children. Deputies spotted the vehicle on Highway 17 and attempted a traffic stop. Garvin, 47, refused to pull over and led law enforcement on a pursuit.
Abandoning the Vehicle with Children Inside
Reports indicate that Garvin eventually abandoned the stolen vehicle, leaving the two children inside while the car was still in motion. DeSoto County deputies, along with Arcadia police, were able to quickly apprehend Garvin after he fled on foot.
Charges and Criminal History
Garvin now faces several felony charges, including:
Grand theft of a motor vehicle
Fleeing or eluding police
Child neglect
Driving with a suspended license
Leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage
Two counts of resisting an officer
Garvin also has a criminal history, including felony offenses such as robbery, grand theft auto, and aggravated battery.
AMBER Alert and Children’s Safety
An AMBER Alert was issued for the two missing 4-year-old boys, but the alert was later cancelled after deputies confirmed the children were found in good condition.
Garvin was taken into custody, and the investigation is ongoing.
