A Middletown man is behind bars accused of stealing a Domino’s delivery vehicle with his 3-year-old son in tow, police said.
Moses Fahnestock, 30, is charged with robbery of a motor vehicle, theft of a motor vehicle, endangering the welfare of a child, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, defiant criminal trespass and driving while operating privilege was suspended or revoked.
The bizarre incident happened Friday evening in Swatara Township after Fahnestock’s first effort at car jacking was thwarted outside the Dollar General Store along the 800 block of Eisenhower Boulevard.
Police said Fahnestock attempted to steal a woman’s car by ripping a key from a chain around her neck. After being unable to unlock the vehicle, Fahnestock ran across the street to the Domino’s and stole a delivery driver’s car, according to police reports.
A short time later officers located the vehicle abandoned in the parking lot of the Toys R Us near the Harrisburg Mall.
While Swatara Police searched the area, authorities in Steelton received a call from Arcelor Mittal Security at the Steel Mill that a man carrying a small child and a brown dog were trespassing on their property.
After a brief foot chase, Fahnestock was arrested and taken to Dauphin County Prison in lieu of $15,000 bail.
Police said that during the chase, Fahnestock abandoned his 3-year-old son.
The boy is now staying with family members.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 21.