Man Arrested After Stealing, Crashing Car With Children Inside, Police Say

A man was arrested Monday after stealing a car with two children in it, crashing the car, and leaving the scene, police say.

Chance Sanders, 28, has been charged in the incident.

Shamari Smith was at a store in northwest Oklahoma City. She thought she had locked her running car as she briefly ran inside.

In just a few moments, Sanders stole the vehicle with the twin one-year-olds inside, police say.

Sanders drove down Northwest 23rd Street before crashing and flipping the car, according to police. The vehicle caught fire after the crash and Sanders ran from the scene but was arrested nearby, police say.

Neither of the children were injured thanks to the help of witnesses at the scene.

Sanders was previously convicted of robbery with a dangerous weapon in 2014.