BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – Authorities in Broward County are currently on the lookout for a suspect involved in a kidnapping case.
The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Phillip J. Pepe Jr., is wanted for charges of kidnapping, false imprisonment of a child, and grand theft auto.
According to detectives, the incident occurred around 8 a.m. on Saturday at the IHOP restaurant located at 3101 W. Oakland Park Blvd. Law enforcement received a report about a stolen vehicle with a 3-year-old boy inside.
The child’s mother had just left the restaurant when she discovered that her car and son were missing.
Fortunately, deputies were able to locate the vehicle at 1901 NW 40th Ave. in Fort Lauderdale shortly after. The child was found unharmed inside. However, the suspect managed to escape the scene, and authorities have been actively searching for him ever since.
Pepe was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and blue shorts. Deputies noted that he has a tattoo on his right arm and a visible injury below his left eye.
According to court records, Pepe had been arrested on drug charges and for driving with a suspended license just two days prior to the kidnapping incident.
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Phillip J. Pepe Jr., please contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.