BOSTON (WHDH) - A man wanted for allegedly stealing a truck in Dorchester while an infant was still inside of it has been arrested, according to authorities.
The Boston Police Department announced the arrest of Cristofanes “Christopher” Mendes, 33, on Monday. The police department named Mendes as a suspect a week ago as they continued to investigate the incident that occurred at Geneva Avenue and Westville Street on July 14.
Surveillance video captured the moment the suspect approached a parked pickup truck and got into the vehicle, driving off while an infant was still inside and in a car seat. The child’s family had been right next to the truck on a sidewalk when the theft occurred.
Video obtained by 7NEWS showed the vehicle return to the area shortly afterwards, with the suspect leaving the infant on a street curb. About an hour later, officers located the stolen truck on Columbia Road.
Two weeks later, Boston police officers located Mendes in the area of Mass Ave. and Chesterton Street in Roxbury where he was arrested without incident.
7NEWS spoke to Jamie Martinez earlier this month after she was reunited with her 17-day-old daughter Ashley. While Ashley was not hurt, Martinez said she is hoping for justice.
Facing charges of larceny and recklessly endangering a child, Mendes is expected to go before a judge in Boston Municipal Court on Tuesday.
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