NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Metro police said a woman stole a car from an Inglewood Kroger that had a 1-year-old inside.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation later issued an Amber Alert for 1-year-old Nolan Ishimwe. There were issues getting information out due to a language barrier.
"I actually work with refugees in this community, and I work with a lot of people who experience language barriers a lot, so that is really sad," said Kroger customer Ally Fritsch.
Police identified the suspect as 33-year-old Brandi Rhodes. They said Rhodes drove off from the grocery store at 3410 Gallatin Pike in a 2013 Ford Focus with a Tennessee license plate number of 8R66F2. Ishimwe was in the back seat.
This is the woman suspected of stealing the 2013 blue Ford Focus w/ a 1-yr-old boy in the back seat from the Inglewood Kroger. If you see Brandi Rhodes, 33, or the car bearing TN tag 8R66F2 pls call 911. pic.twitter.com/7XvkAncV8c
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) October 7, 2021
Around 12:30 a.m. police announced Ishimwe and the car were found near the Kroger in the 900 block of Home Road after someone reported seeing the car parked. The woman called 911 saying she found it. Officers found Ishimwe sleeping in the back seat. He was not hurt.
Good news update! Nolan has been located in Nashville, and was found safe.
— Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (@TBInvestigation) October 7, 2021
Thanks to all who took the time to RT to help get the word out. pic.twitter.com/iVMqsHWHbN
Police reviewed surveillance video from the grocery store, which shows the parents arrived around 6 p.m. and went inside. A woman, who police say is Rhodes, walked up to the car around 6:19 p.m., saw it was running, got inside, and drove off.
Metro police released video of the car being taken below:
The boy's parents were inside the store shopping and reported their car and son missing around 7 p.m. Wednesday. They called 911 and had trouble communicating what happened.The father said he was from Rwanda and the mother sounded hysterical in the background. The dispatcher worked frantically to find a translator.
Police said because Ishimwe was left alone in an unlocked, running car, his parents have been cited for child endangerment.
Rhodes has not yet been located. Anyone who sees her or knows her whereabouts was asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous.
Police said she also has an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court on a misdemeanor assault charge.
