FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Law enforcement in South Florida is searching for a man who they said kidnapped a child in Broward County and may be hiding in Palm Beach County.
The Broward Sheriff's Office said Phillip J. Pepe Jr., 33, stole a car parked outside of an IHOP restaurant in Oakland Park on Saturday morning. A 3-year-old was in the car at the time of the theft.
Investigators said the vehicle, with the child inside, was found a few minutes later in Fort Lauderdale.
"They believe that he fled somewhere in Broward County or perhaps he fled somewhere in Palm Beach County," Broward Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Miranda Grossman said.
The suspect was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and blue shorts. He has a tattoo on his right arm and an abrasion under his left eye.
Pepe faces charges of kidnapping, false imprisonment of a child and grand theft auto.
The sheriff's office did not say why they think he might be in Palm Beach County.
Anyone with information on Pepe's whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Michael Sgro at 954-321-4256 or contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.
