A 20-year-old woman from Princeton has been charged in connection with kidnapping and theft following a car-jacking and high-speed chase on Highway 95 from Cambridge to North Branch Tuesday afternoon.
Jade Katherine Abney was charged with the following before Judge James Dehn in Isanti County District Court Thursday, July 18:
• Felony kidnapping-to commit great bodily harm/terrorize.
• Felony theft-take/use/transfer movable property without consent.
• Misdemeanor traffic accidents-driver fails to stop for accident to property-no injury.
Judge Dehn set bail at $100,000 without conditions or $50,000 with conditions and Abney’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 31.
According to the criminal complaint:
On Tuesday, July 16, at 12:27 p.m., Cambridge Police were dispatched to Cub Foods in Cambridge on a report of a vehicle theft and hit and run at Opportunity Boulevard and Highway 95.
Cambridge Officer Jesse Peck made contact with the victims of the stolen car, a 2001 Subaru Outback. The mother explained that her son was sitting in the front passenger’s seat reading a magazine while she ran inside the store.
According to the minor child, while he was reading his magazine, “a lady got in my car because it was unlocked and running.” He stated that Abney got into the driver’s seat and started driving the car. He then started honking the horn to get people’s attention. When Abney got to the end of the parking lot, the child opened the door and rolled out of the vehicle. He sustained several cuts and bruises from hitting the pavement. He then ran to the front of the store to get help.
As Abney was fleeing the scene, she rear-ended another vehicle carrying a mother and her two children. There was damage done to the vehicle; however, no one was injured.
Cambridge Police put out the description of the Outback over the radio. Shortly thereafter, North Branch Police said they were in pursuit of Abney. She eventually stopped when she drove the vehicle into a corn field just south of the high school in the city of North Branch and was arrested.
After being read her Miranda Warning, Abney admitted to getting into the car with the intent to steal it because she wanted to get out of Cambridge.
Abney said she noticed there was a child inside the car when she started to pull away. Abney said she stopped to let the child out and then continued to pull away. She denied that the child had to jump out of the moving car; however, she did admit she hit another vehicle and didn’t stop to see if those individuals were okay. She also admitted to knowing the police were behind her but said she was, “scared and didn’t know what to do or how serious this was.”
Cambridge Police advised this is a scary reminder to never leave your children unattended in a vehicle or never leave your vehicle running while you run into the store. The outcome could have been devastating had the heroic boy not acted quickly.
Cambridge Police also offer a special thank you to the hit and run accident victim who called 911 and was willing to risk her safety to follow the suspect and update officers. Due to the actions of everyone, the suspect was apprehended and all parties are safe.
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