Off-Duty Dispatcher Ends Odd Kidnapping

Kudos to off-duty Seminole County (Fla.) ECO-II Marc Perez, who finished up a night shift on Jan. 18th, and stopped at the local Wal-Mart about 6 a.m. to do some shopping. On the way out of the store Perez–apparently unable to turn off his dispatcher instincts–noticed a car parked in the lot that looked familiar. In fact, during his shift the Seminole SO had broadcast an alert for a stolen vehicle and kidnapped child, and the vehicle in the lot matched that description. Perez telephoned the Lake Mary PD, who confirmed the license plate matched the wanted vehicle. Deputies quickly arrived and locked down the Wal-Mart, and began reviewing surveillance tapes for the suspect. The deputies ID’d and located the persons who parked the car, and they fingered the person who traded them the car for drugs. The car thief and four others were arrested, and the child was safely recovered earlier after being dropped off by the side of the road (read complicated explanation involving drugs, etc. here). For his decisive actions leading to an arrest, Perez was nominated for a Community Service Award by the Lake Mary PD.