Watch CBS News

Burglary Suspect Stows Away In Family's SUV

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- A local family was trying to escape danger, but were unaware it was hiding in the back seat as a police search for a burglary suspect turned into the family's nightmare.

"It was just wild," said Shannon Carter who owns the SUV where the suspect was hiding.

"I ran into the front seat and tried to get out as quick as possible," said Shannon's daughter Seva Carter.

It was one mom, three kids, and a bad guy surprise.

"He was climbing over the seats and I was screaming," said Shannon.

A family trip to the park turned terrifying when a suspected burglar stowed away in the back cargo area of their SUV, hiding under sports equipment.

"This guy's head pops up, and he's like urgently trying to get out of the car," said Carter.

It turns out the mom and her kids had provided the getaway car for the very burglary suspect they were trying to avoid.

"We knew in my neighborhood they were looking for some criminal. We don't know what he had done," said Carter. "I was pretty freaked out."

He was one bad guy, with some good manners?

"So I'm opening my doors trying to get my kid out, and the guy, he's actually fairly decent. He's going, "I'm sorry I'm sorry,'" said Shannon.

He took off running, but guilt apparently forced him to stop one last time.

"And he turned around and he started apologizing, 'I'm sorry, I'm so sorry I scared the kids,'" said Shannon.

Shocked by a sorry suspect, a family's sudden crisis will surely become legendary.

Steve: What do you have to say to this guy?

Seva Carter:I don't like you no more.

They can laugh about it now, because they're all safe. The mom is glad the guy didn't make his presence known until after they'd parked.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.