Children Abducted In Tulsa Truck Theft Reunited With Parents

Two babies abducted from an apartment parking lot are back in their parents' arms tonight.

The mother and father watched it happen. They were helpless as a stranger stole their pickup.

Police believe the thief didn't realize he was also kidnapping two little girls -- or that his actions would trigger an Amber Alert.

About 8:30 p.m. near 21st and Mingo, in a few precious seconds, a Ford pickup is stolen with a precious cargo inside.

The children's mother watched helplessly.

"A guy jumped in the truck and then shut the door and sped off quickly. We were trying to chase after the truck. It has both of my kids in it," Tiama Brown said.

But in the dark of night, the truck could be anywhere.

With the lives of one-year-old Sariah and five-month-old Zayveah at stake, the mother made a desperate plea.

"That's the only thing I'm thinking about. We just bought the truck. I don't care about the truck. I just want my kids."

Officers say there's typically a three-hour window to find missing children alive, maybe less, on the coldest night of winter. So, with the clock ticking, Tulsa police issued an Amber Alert.

Immediately, Tulsa police officers from around the city dropped what they were doing to find two little girls.

At 10 o'clock, a lucky break happened at Lewis and Newton said Sergeant John Adams of the Tulsa Police Department.

"Probably about ten minutes ago someone heard a large, loud kick on their door. When they went to the door they found the five-month-old left on their doorstep."

The homeowner said he recognized the little girl from the news reports on the Amber Alerts and he called police immediately. That's when officers swooped into this neighborhood and started combing the streets for the other girl.

Minutes later, the best news possible came: the other girl was found in a church parking lot at Lewis and Admiral, still in the sanctuary of her car seat.

Maria Narvaez said many people at the church tried to comfort the abandoned child.

"A lot of people from our church held her at different times but, it seemed to be okay for a minute but then crying again. Crying like wanting their mama."

The church saviors helped police strap the baby into their car to be reunited with her parents and sister, bringing the two-hour nightmare to a close.

The suspect was still on the loose Saturday night. He is described as a short, heavyset Hispanic male wearing a gray jacket or jumpsuit.

Tulsa Police said he ditched the pickup overnight and officers found it this morning. Investigators searched it for fingerprints and other evidence.