(Colerain Township, OH) - The man accused of stealing a vehicle with three children inside from a Colerain Township convenience store Saturday was in court Monday.
Howard Mullis, 33, of Cleves is facing charges of kidnapping and theft. He pleaded not guilty and his bond was set at $625,000.
Colerain Police report the children's father went into the Pit Stop on West Galbraith Rd in Colerain Township leaving his three young children inside the vehicle.
Mullis allegedly took off in the SUV and the father discovering his vehicle had been stolen jumped in the vehicle of a witness at the scene and attempted to follow Mullis. The father called 911 and an Amber Alert was issued.
Officers eventually located the children at America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses on Colerain Ave. near Ronald Reagan. They were safe and were shortly returned to their family.
Mullis was captured after he had reportedly fled the vehicle and was found in a wooded area not far from the stolen.
According to police, he confessed to the incident at the Colerain Police Department. He was then taken to the Hamilton County Justice Center to await arraignment.