Two children kidnapped in a carjacking in Dupnitsa (update)

A mentally ill man from Dupnitsa, without a driving license, kidnapped two children who were in a car he tried to steal.

The report of the theft of a car in front of a pharmacy in Dupnitsa was received today, February 19, around 12.15, said Senior Commissioner Svetoslav Grigorov, director of the Kyustendil Police Department.

The man, who had no license had left the children (aged 1 and 4) alone near a chapel in the vicinity of the town and was later arrested.

Police teams found the stolen car and detained the person.

"Around 12.15 pm, a report of a stolen car was received. The report was lodged by the owner of the car. The car was left outside a chemist’s with the keys on the dashboard and two children, aged 1 and 4, were inside. The police carried out a cordon and search operation and after about 15 minutes the vehicle was apprehended in the area of Beshika. No one was injured in the apprehension, neither the person nor any officer or road users. The man had abandoned the children in the area of St. Spas Chapel above the town of Dupnitsa. He is 39 years old, with mental problems, unlicensed driver. His tests for alcohol and drugs were negative," said Senior Commissioner Grigorov.

The director of the Ministry of Interior in Kyustendil, stressed that when the 39-year-old man was arrested, he confessed where he left the children.

The children are in good condition. The perpetrator of the crime was detained in custody.

"A mother, driving her vehicle and carrying her two children in it, stopped the vehicle, got out of it, left the keys on the dashboard. As a result of these actions of hers, a person who is mentally ill entered the vehicle, managed to steal the vehicle and as a result of the rapid search and seizure measures, the children were found in good health," Minister of Interior, Kalin Stoyanov, said.

The police officers involved in this case will be rewarded, Senior Commissioner Grigorov is adamant.

The driver was detained for 24 hours.