Crime & Courts

5-year-old abducted in Chapel Hill found safe, police say. Man charged with kidnapping.

A Raleigh man has been charged after allegedly stealing a car that had a 5-year-old girl inside from a Chapel Hill shopping center on Monday.

Dustin Taylor Oakley, 28, of Raleigh, was charged with first-degree kidnapping, felony larceny, misdemeanor larceny, possession of a stolen motor vehicle and felony possession of stolen goods, Chapel Hill police reported Tuesday morning.

Oakley was being held in the Orange County jail under a $510,000 bond. He is scheduled to have a first appearance in court Tuesday afternoon.

A caller told 911 around 8:30 p.m. Monday that the dark blue 2003 Dodge Durango was stolen with the child inside from the Eastgate Crossing shopping center on East Franklin Street, police reported.

Police issued the Amber Alert about her abduction at 10:04 p.m.

The girl was found safe about an hour later at a Sheetz gas station in Lillington, Chapel Hill police reported. Lillington police arrested Oakley and returned him to Orange County to face charges, they said.

State corrections records showed Oakley previously was convicted on charges of larceny and breaking and entering vehicles in Pitt County. He was released in May 2022 after serving a three-month sentence, records showed.

Police have not provided additional details about Monday night’s incident, but said the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information can call 911 or contact the Chapel Hill Police Department at 919-968-2760 (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday). Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Chapel Hill-Carrboro-UNC Crimestoppers at 919-942-7515 or visit https://chapelhillcrimestoppers.com/.

An Amber Alert was issued Monday night for 5-year-old Arielle Williams after Chapel Hill police say she was abducted in a stolen car. Police released this photo and asked people to call 911 if you know who or where he is.
An Amber Alert was issued Monday night for 5-year-old Arielle Williams after Chapel Hill police say she was abducted in a stolen car. Police released this photo and asked people to call 911 if you know who or where he is. Chapel Hill Police
An Amber Alert was issued Monday night for 5-year-old Arielle Williams after Chapel Hill police say she was abducted in a stolen car.
An Amber Alert was issued Monday night for 5-year-old Arielle Williams after Chapel Hill police say she was abducted in a stolen car. Chapel Hill Police

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This story was originally published April 24, 2023 at 10:32 PM with the headline "5-year-old abducted in Chapel Hill found safe, police say. Man charged with kidnapping.."

Jessica Banov
The News & Observer
Jessica Banov is an editor and audience growth specialist at The News & Observer and The Herald-Sun. She is the night Breaking News Editor for McClatchy’s Southeast region and The N&O’s Features Editor. She also serves as The News & Observer’s intern program coordinator.
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