Children found safe after suspect steals vehicle in central Fresno, police say

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Two small children are safe and a man is in custody after a car was stolen in Central Fresno.

It happened just after 11 a.m. in the area of Harrison and Cornell avenues.

Officers say a woman was putting away groceries while her kids, a 1-year-old and a 3-year-old, were still in the car.

From inside the house, she suddenly heard the vehicle driving away and ran after it, screaming for help.

That's when other people in the area jumped into their cars and chased after the stolen car.

Detectives say the good Samaritans were able to block the car in at Harrison north of Shields and held the man down until officers arrived.

Just about an hour ago, officers identified him as Nathaniel Benavidez.

He's now in custody.

Both children are safe and back with their mother.

Police say the man was on probation and faces multiple charges.