AKRON, Ohio — Mark Carlson of Cuyahoga Falls learned his fate as he was sentenced in Summit County Common Pleas Court on multiple charges connected to a carjacking at a Taco Bell drive-thru in Green involving three children.
Carlson was sentenced on Thursday morning to 15-19.5 years in prison with 2-5 years of post-release control.
Prior to the judge announcing his punishment, Carlson offered gave the following statement:
I’m sorry for, you know, scaring other people. I’m sorry that it had to happen. I can’t really tell you any reason why it happened. It just was like a snowball effect whenever the first thing happened and then it was the next thing and then the next thing and the next thing and it’s like wow. I just was under the influence. I didn’t really have no malice whenever I did this. I was trying just to get away. I’m just glad nobody got hurt.
His sentencing came after Carlson pleaded guilty last month to the following charges less than a week before his trial was scheduled to start:
- Robbery: 4 counts
- Felonious assault
- Kidnapping: 3 counts
- Failure to comply
“This was a horrifying situation for all involved, but especially for the mother and her young children. I’m pleased to know the community is safer with Mr. Carlson behind bars for a significant amount of time,” said Summit County Prosecutor Eliot Kolkovich in a statement following the sentencing.
The case dates back to Aug. 3, 2023, when the Summit County Sheriff’s Office said Carlson had carjacked a vehicle in Akron, which subsequently ran out of gas on Arlington Road in Green.
After unsuccessfully attempting to carjack another vehicle at the BP gas station on Arlington Road, authorities said he ran to the nearby Taco Bell.
That’s where authorities said he carjacked a vehicle in the drive-thru line.
“He forced his way into the vehicle after a struggle with the female driver,” according to a report from the Summit County Sheriff’s Office last summer.
Carlson then fled in the vehicle with the driver’s three young children -- ages 6, 5 and 2 -- still inside, according to the sheriff’s office.
“He crashed into the building, let out the 6-year-old and 5-year-old, and drove away with the 2-year-old in the back seat,” according to the sheriff’s office. “Carlson drove to the Circle K on Massillon Road, removed the 2-year-old, and fled southbound on Interstate 77.”
After a pursuit along I-77, Carlson continued into Akron where authorities said he exited the vehicle near Shelby Avenue and Evers Street.
He was arrested after fleeing on foot into a wooded area.
3News previously spoke with the children's mother about the horrific incident.
“There were no words to describe the amount of pain," she said. "It was the worst burning pain being smashed like that. And I just kept yelling at him,” she said. “He was a brick wall. He said nothing. He stared straight ahead. There was no emotion. My kids were screaming in the back for me, and I still hear those screams, and I couldn't help them.”
PREVIOUS COVERAGE OF THE CASE:
- Summit County man pleads guilty to kidnapping 3 children during carjacking at Taco Bell in Green
- 'It's just pure evil': Mother details carjacking at Summit County Taco Bell drive-thru with children in the car
- Suspect being held on $500,000 bond after alleged carjacking in drive-thru line at Taco Bell, kidnapping children in Summit County