Amber Alert Suspect Accused Of Kidnapping, Car Theft Captured In SW Oklahoma City

Officers tracked down an Amber Alert suspect less than 24 hours after a frightening kidnapping on the northwest side of the city. 

Related: Man, 29, Arrested In Connection With NW Oklahoma City Amber Alert

The suspect is accused of stealing a running car on Wednesday with a 2-year-old child in the backseat. Officers arrested 29-year-old Ryan Winkler on Thursday in southwest Oklahoma City.

A neighborhood near Northwest 50th street and Interstate 235 was turned into a crime scene. A large police presence canvassed the area for a stolen car and a missing child.

“It’s the last thing you ever want to hear is a kid being in trouble, it’s awful,” said Nicole Carson, neighbor.  

The child's mother told police she saw a stranger in her yard shortly before the car theft. 

According to the report, the woman went inside her home for about two minutes, leaving the car running and came out to find the car gone. An Amber Alert was issued, and officers were on the lookout for the stolen car.

“Somebody called and indicated they spotted the vehicle in south Oklahoma City this was near Southwest 77th and Douglas,” said Msgt. Gary Knight, Oklahoma City Police Department.

Police found the car still running and the child was in the backseat unharmed. The search continued for the suspect later identified as Ryan Winkler. 

Police said Winkler was located around 7 a.m. the following day in the same area where he abandoned the car and the child.

Neighbors close to the family's home said they will no longer take their safety for granted. 

“I’m sure we’re all going to be keeping an extra eye out for anything,” said Carson.

Winkler was booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center on the complaints of kidnapping, child neglect and car theft.