MOUNT VERNON, NY — The Mount Vernon Police Department arrested Tiauna Crump, 52, of Mount Vernon, following an incident in which she allegedly took a Mazda SUV without authorization while a one-year-old female child was inside the vehicle.
According to court documents, Crump was taken into custody on Tuesday, September 1, after the SUV was reportedly boxed in by a garbage truck and another vehicle near Mount Vernon Police Headquarters. The court documents state that the child’s uncle followed Crump from the area where the vehicle was allegedly taken in the Fleetwood section of Mount Vernon.
The incident reportedly began at approximately 10:45 a.m. near Birch Street and Westchester Avenue, where the child’s mother was dropping off her other daughter with the child’s uncle.
The incident reportedly began at approximately 10:45 a.m. near Birch Street and Westchester Avenue, where the child’s mother was dropping off another daughter with the child’s uncle. According to court records, the mother saw Crump get into the SUV with her one-year-old daughter inside.
The mother reportedly attempted to open one of the vehicle’s doors but was unable to do so before Crump allegedly drove away.
Court records state that the child’s uncle, David Patterson, then gave chase. According to his account to police, he pulled alongside the SUV twice in an attempt to get Crump’s attention and tell her that a young child was inside the vehicle.
The uncle told police that the first attempt occurred on Urban Street. He later pulled alongside the SUV again on Gramatan Avenue. According to court records, the uncle said that during the second encounter, Crump allegedly attempted to strike his vehicle before driving away.
The SUV then reportedly traveled onto West Lincoln Avenue and North Fifth Street, with the uncle continuing to follow.
The pursuit ended near Mount Vernon Police Headquarters, where, according to court records, the SUV was boxed in by a garbage truck and another vehicle. The uncle reportedly pulled Crump from the SUV before police took her into custody.
The child was safely recovered and was not injured.
Crump was charged with:
- Kidnapping in the Second Degree
- Grand Larceny in the Third Degree
- Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree
- Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree
- Endangering the Welfare of a Child
Crump was arraigned in Mount Vernon City Court Wednesday afternoon in connection with the charges. She was held without bail at the county jail and is due back in court on Wednesday, September 9th
The Mount Vernon Police Department said the investigation remains ongoing and that additional information will be released as appropriate.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the MVPD Detective Division at (914) 665-2510. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by texting TIP411 (847411). Begin the message with “MVPD”, followed by the information.
As with all criminal charges, Crump is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Black Westchester will continue to follow this story as additional information becomes available.
