North Carolina Cops Catch Man Who Stole Shoppers Car While Girl, 14, Slept Inside

North Carolina police have arrested a suspected kidnapper for stealing a parked car while its owner was shopping and a 14-year-old girl was sleeping inside.

The incident took place in the city of Raleigh, which is located in the south-eastern US state of North Carolina, and the Raleigh Police Department said they became involved in a chase with the suspect, who has been named as Morteza Zakeri, 20.

The 14-year-old girl, who has not been named, was apparently able to exit the vehicle in a nearby neighbourhood and police then pursued the suspected kidnapper and car thief in a chase before he was finally apprehended.

Morteza Zakeri, 20, of Bowling Drive in Raleigh who was arrested he stole a car with a teenage girl inside. (Raleigh Police Department/Newsflash)

The police said in a statement: “At approximately 11.30 pm last evening, Raleigh Police Department officers responded to a report of a kidnapping of a 14-year-old juvenile female in the 3700 block of Tryon Road. Information was gathered indicating that an unknown male suspect had entered and stolen the vehicle that the juvenile was in from a convenience store in that area.

“The juvenile was able to exit the vehicle in a nearby neighborhood and was returned safely to her family. A short time later, an officer located the stolen vehicle and a traffic stop was attempted. The suspect refused to comply and a vehicle chase ensued ending on Kildaire Farm Road in Cary. The suspect then jumped and ran and was taken into custody a short time later. There were no injuries reported from the incident.

“Morteza Zakeri, 20, has been charged with first degree kidnapping, felony flee/elude arrest with motor vehicle and larceny of a motor vehicle in connection with the incident.”

The stolen car that had the teenage girl inside, that the police was chasing for about 45 minutes. (Newsflash)

The police also said that the suspect “has been transported to the Wake County Detention Center”.

It is currently unclear why images of the stolen vehicle show it apparently missing a wheel.