Lynn

Police: Lynn, Mass. Man Stole Car With Child in Back Seat

A Massachusetts man faces several charges after stealing a car with a child in the backseat in Lynn.

Jonathan Leighton, 30, of Lynn, was arrested around noon Friday and charged with six different offenses, according to Lynn Police. Those charges include two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, leaving the scene of an accident, carjacking, resisting arrest and receiving stolen property.

Leighton was driving a car that had been reported stolen earlier in the day on the 200 block of Broadway in Lynn, according to police. The car broke down, and a man stopped to try to help him. That was when Leighton allegedly hopped in that man's car and tried to drive away.

A 1-year-old child was in the backseat of that car. The child's father tried to get in the car to stop Leighton before he got away, police said.

Leighton allegedly hit parked cars and an unmarked cruiser that had stopped to help with the broken down car, then drove a short distance away. He bailed from the car shortly, running away before police stopped him and took him into custody.

The child was not hurt in the incident.

It was not immediately clear if Leighton had an attorney.

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