Lake City Police Arrest Kidnapper, Rescue Child After Kidnapping Incident at Olive Garden – 104.5 WOKV

LAKE CITY, Fla. – Lake City Police announced that a man was arrested and a child was found safe following a kidnapping that occurred at an Olive Garden restaurant in Lake City on Saturday.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE

According to Lake City police, officers responded to a disturbance at 3072 W US Hwy 90 on Saturday, where an altercation between a man and a woman reportedly escalated into a kidnapping.

Upon arrival, officers spoke with the complainant, who stated that her child's father, 23-year-old Thomas Joseph Levasseur, had forcibly abducted her child during what was supposedly a supervised visit in a public place. Levasseur, who has not claimed paternal custody in the state of Florida, allegedly grabbed the child and fled the restaurant, drove away recklessly and fled into Bradford County. Several witnesses at the scene provided statements to officers.

After collecting evidence and interviewing the mother and witnesses, investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Levasseur. The warrant, which was reviewed and signed by a judge with the assistance of the District Attorney's Office, led to Levasseur's arrest in Bradford County. He was arrested and taken to the Bradford County Jail.

Lake City Police reported that the child was found safe and returned to his mother.

Levasseur is accused of kidnapping and child abuse. He is currently being held in the Bradford County Jail.

Authorities praised the quick response and cooperation between witnesses, police officers and investigators, which led to the child's safe rescue.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Read:

Read:

Read:

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, Click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your Smart TV and Click here to stream Action News Jax live.