Kenner, La. - Joseph Leonard, 17, was arrested earlier today (March 5, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.) in reference to the February 21, 2010, child kidnapping and theft of a motor vehicle that occurred outside the Brother’s Food Mart, located at 1227 Veterans Boulevard, in Kenner.  Leonard was located and arrested by members of the U.S. Marshall’s Gulf Coast Fugitive Task Force.   Acting on a crime tip, members of the U.S. Marshall’s Gulf Coast Fugitive Task Force located Joseph Leonard in the 2600 block of Augusta Street, in Kenner. 

Joseph Leonard was interviewed by Kenner Police Detective Jesse Johnson.  Leonard confessed to the theft of the motor vehicle.  Leonard told detectives that he realized the child was in the back seat while driving to New Orleans.  Leonard admitted to abandoning that child and vehicle in the 1200 block of Port Street in New Orleans. 

Joseph Leonard was charged with the crimes of kidnapping and theft of a motor vehicle.  Joseph Leonard remains in custody.  No bond had been set. 

Chief Steve Caraway urges anyone with information concerning this incident, to call the Kenner Police Department at (504) 712-2222, or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111.

Detective Jesse Johnson is in charge of the investigation.     

Kenner Police Department website: Click Here