SMOKEY POINT As of press time, Arlington Police are still searching for the suspect in the carjacking and kidnapping that occurred in Smokey Point Oct. 18, but the two Marysville children in the car were found safe and sound in their hometown the next day by a trio of attentive but surprised machinists.
The suspect approached Jessica Sobania, 23, outside the Smokey Point RiteAid at approximately 8:20 p.m. and forced her to drive to an undisclosed location in north Marysville, where he then forced her from her silver 2001 Chrysler Town and Country mini-van at approximately 8:30 p.m. Sobania immediately contacted the police to notify them that her children, four-year-old Abigail and two-year-old Caleb, were still in the vehicle, and an Amber Alert was issued at approximately 9 p.m.
Thomas Machine and Foundry employee Rick Evans saw the Amber Alert on a freeway sign during his commute to work the next morning, and noticed a van fitting the bulletins description near his workplace, in the 13100 block of 41st Street NE. Evans discussed it with coworkers Jeff Sevey and Rafael Martinez, the latter of whom had just read about the carjacking in the newspaper. After they checked the vans license plate against the one listed in the story, Sevey called 9-1-1 and was told to keep an eye on the van, without approaching it too closely.
We had to see if the kids were there, but we couldnt get caught, just in case the carjacker was there, too, Sevey said. The windows were fogged up, but we could tell there was movement inside. It turned out, the boy had a toy phone that lit up. Im sure they were looking at us outside, but we couldnt go in.
We pretty much assumed the carjacker was gone, but we didnt know that for sure, Evans said. A couple of our guys wanted to bust in the doors and get those kids out, but we couldnt disturb the evidence that could help catch this guy, and the reports said he was armed and dangerous.
Once police had retrieved the children from the vehicle, the machinists wanted to feed the kids, but since officers discouraged them from feeding them vending machine fare, the employees of Thomas Machine and Foundry opened up their lunchboxes and pitched in.
We had plenty of chow to go around, Evans said of the impromptu meal, which was conducted in the workplaces conference room, with the blinds drawn. Jeff had some granola bars, and another guy had milk and cereal.
According to Sevey, the children appeared to be happy and in good shape, while Evans touted the recovery of the children as an example of how the Amber Alert does work and save lives, as long as people just take some time out of their busy lives to pay attention.
As of press time, the Sobanias have requested privacy and do not plan to speak with the media, but they and the Arlington Police Department wish to thank the public and the media for their help in this case. If you have any information about this case please call the Arlington Police Departments tipline at 360-403-3420.