Pinellas Park Police are currently investigating an carjacking that occurred at approximately 7:20 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2020.
Officers responded to the McDonald’s located at 7001 US Highway 19 N in reference to a carjacking. During the 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. Canady fled the scene with Marqus and their 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. The motive for the carjacking was unknown and an AMBER Alert was issued.
The vehicle Canady stole and was last seen operating is a 2009 light blue Kia Sorento van with FL tag Z883JA. Perkins, whose whereabouts are currently unknown, is described as a black male, 4’03” tall weighing 85 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. He was last seen wearing gray sweatpants, a red Adidas jacket with white stripes down the sleeve with a gray Puma shirt underneath. Perkins was wearing navy blue Puma slides.
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)
No further information is expected to be released m involving this case.
