TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Police say a Tallahassee man has been arrested after he abandoned three kids inside a stolen truck.
According to court documents, Tallahassee police received a report of a stolen vehicle on Dunn Street back in December.
Police say later that same day the vehicle was found in the in the parking lot of the Circle K gas station on South Monroe Street.
The victim had posted to social media asking for help finding his vehicle. Documents say the social media post led the victim to tracking down his vehicle.
When the suspect, 21-year-old Maurice Smith noticed that he was being followed he parked the truck at the gas station and left the scene.
Police say Smith left the vehicle running with three children inside. There was also a loaded gun found inside the vehicle.
When officers arrived on the scene they were able to safely return the children to their guardian. The guardian did explain to police that she knew about the kids riding with Smith, but didn't know he was driving a stolen vehicle.
While investigating, officers learned that Smith had recently got out of jail and has a history of grand theft charges.
According to documents, on Thursday Smith was arrested and transported to the Leon County Detention Facility. He is being charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle and firearm and child neglect.
