Man arrested after kidnapping three kids during carjacking

MIAMI, FL - On Saturday morning, August 31st, a woman called 911 to report a carjacking with children still inside of the vehicle. Authorities said that the mother parked a rented, silver Nissan Versa on the side of the street near SW 23rd Ave. and 8th St., and left her children asleep inside for a few minutes while she met up with a friend.

When she returned to her vehicle that had her children, ages one, 10, and 12, asleep inside, she discovered that the car had been stolen. Miami police responded and sent out a BOLO for the vehicle. The arrest report indicates that surveillance video captured the suspect entering the vehicle and driving away.

The police report also states that the 12-year-old said that she woke up and noticed the suspect in the driver's seat. She said the man looked at her and said, "I got something for you," before removing his shirt and fleeing the scene.

Within an hour of the 911 call, officers located the stolen vehicle at Beacon Blvd. and SW 6th St. with the children inside of it unharmed. A second BOLO was sent out for the suspect, who was later found and taken into custody. He has been identified as 27-year-old Noel Castro and he has been charged with kidnapping, grand theft vehicle, burglary, and child abuse.

According to Local 10, detectives found surviellance video showing Castro getting in the Nissan Versa and driving away outside of a motel along Tamiami Trail and Southwest 23 Avenue. In a statement after the arrest, Officer Kiara Delva, a spokeswoman for the Miami Police Department (MPD) said, "We are thankful that the children were unharmed." Police said that Castro, who was born in Havana, Cuba, confessed in Spanish. Court records show that Castro also had a pending case for resisting an officer without violence to his person and was out on probation for aggravated battery of a pregnant woman. 

MPD said in a statement, "The primary concern in this distressing incident was the safety and well-being of the children. The quick and coordinated efforts of all officers involved ensured a swift recovery. We are thankful that the children were unharmed and that the suspect responsible was promptly apprehended."

In a separate incident, a young child was almost kidnapped by a woman at a Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, restaurant. According to reports, state police said that 59-year-old Lisa Rossi of East Earl told them that she had a "vision" which led her to entering the restaurant and trying to take the four-year-old boy. The criminal complaint says that the incident happened at the Terre Hill Family Restaurant at around 8:46 a.m. on Thursday, August 29th. 

State police were told that a woman, later identified as Rossi, took ahold of the boy and tried to leave with him. After arriving at the restaurant, police were told by the mother she saw Rossi had the boy in a "bear hug" and he was crying when she came back from the kitchen. She was able to run in front of the doors to block Rossi from leaving and was able to pry the child from Rossi's arms while being punched in the face.

Charging documents state that once the mother was able to get the boy away, Rossi took of in her vehicle heading west down Main Street. Surviellance video in the business captured the incident and police were able to interview witnesses. Police were able to find Rossi's address through PennDOT records. Rossi was arrested and now faces charges of kidnapping a minor, interference with custody of children, unlawful restraint of minor, and false imprisonment. She also faces a misdemeanor charge of simple assault. 
 
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