LUMBERTON —A 6-year-old child is back home safe with him mother and a city man faces charges after the man allegedly stole a vehicle on Friday night with the child as a passenger.

According to a statement from the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, Florence, S.C., police and sheriff’s deputies found Sammie Leond Smith, 46, of Lumberton, and the child, Rahmir Brown, during a traffic stop at 3:30 a.m. Saturday. Smith was placed in the Florence jail on the charge of possessing a stolen vehicle and for violations in Florence County.

Brown, who did not suffer any injuries, was returned to his mother, Laterra Francis, who lives in Lumberton.

On Friday at 7:58 p.m., sheriff’s deputies responded to the 100 block of Southfield Road following a call from Francis, who said her 2013 Chevrolet Spark had been stolen and her child was missing. According to the report, Francis said she had been to the store at about 5:30 p.m. and was taking groceries inside her home and that Brown was outside playing. She said she then saw the vehicle being driven away by Smith, whom she called a friend, with her son inside.

She told investigators that Smith had family in Darlington, S.C.

A search began that included descriptions of Smith, Brown and the vehicle, including its license plate number. The investigation is continuing.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 910-671-3100.

Smith
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_sammie-smith-1.jpgSmith

Staff report