'Burglar' hijacks children in car
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A man wanted over a knife attack has been charged with kidnapping after he allegedly hijacked a mother's car and led police on a mile-long chase with her two young children still strapped in the back seat.
Cedric Brown, described by police in Birmingham as one of Britain's most-wanted men, was chased by several patrol cars and finally captured after he abandoned the vehicle and tried to run away after a suspected burglary.
Officers found the children, a boy aged one, and a girl, two, still in their booster seats in the car. "Thankfully, neither was hurt and we quickly reunited them with their mum, who naturally was extremely relieved," Sgt Nicholas Barnes said of Tuesday's incident.
Last night, Mr Brown, 44, was charged with one count of robbery and possessing a knife as well as two counts of kidnap. He was questioned about a break-in two years ago in Bristol which was featured on the BBC's Crimewatch show. In that case, a man aged 49 was tied up and stabbed in the stomach during a raid at a farmhouse as his wife was forced to watch.
Mr Brown was also wanted for questioning about another violent break-in in Birmingham in 2009. Police believe the suspect, nicknamed "Skipper", had been in the West Midlands for some time as officers hunted for him in Bristol.
He was remanded in police custody and is expected to appear before magistrates in Birmingham today.