PINELLAS PARK, Fla. – In an overnight carjacking, Pinellas Park Police officers responded to the McDonald’s located at 7001 US Highway 19 N. Through investigation, it was learned a black male subject, later identified as Frederick Canady, attempted to carjack two-vehicles in the parking lot of the restaurant.
Canady successfully completed the carjacking of a third vehicle and fled the scene with the victim and two young children inside. A short distance later, Canady forced the victim and the two children out of the vehicle and fleeing the scene. The victim sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital for her injuries. No injuries were reported to the children in the vehicle.
At the time of the carjacking, Canady had his 6-year-old nephew, Marqus Perkins, in his care. Perkins did not take part in the carjacking but fled the scene with Canady and his whereabouts are currently unknown. Perkins has been with Canady, who is his uncle, throughout the day and arrived with him at the incident location on a bicycle. An Amber Alert was issued for Perkins overnight.
Early this morning, detectives obtained information of a possible location of Canady with Perkins. Several law enforcement agencies across Pinellas County began searching the area leading to the location of the vehicle traveling on US Highway 19 near Curlew Rd. The vehicle was followed where it was abandoned in a neighborhood near US Highway 19 N and Main St.
Responding officers located Perkins in close proximity of the stolen van and escorted him to safety. Moments later, Canady was located and taken into custody without incident. Perkins did not sustain any injuries during the incident and has been reunited with his mother.
Canady has been transported to the Pinellas County Jail and has been charged with the following criminal charges:
- Attempted Carjacking
- Carjacking
- Kidnapping (Four counts)