GREEN, Ohio — Mark Carlson, the man accused of carjacking a vehicle at Taco Bell in Green and kidnapping three children, has pleaded guilty in the case.
The Cuyahoga Falls man pleaded guilty to the following charges on Friday, April 12:
- Robbery: 4 counts
- Felonious Assault
- Kidnapping: 3 counts
- Failure to comply
- Escape
Additionally, charges, including grand theft of a motor vehicle, abduction and endangering children, were dropped. The plea came less than a week before his trial was supposed to start in Summit County Common Pleas Court.
The incident began on Aug. 3, 2023, when Carlson carjacked a vehicle in Akron, but ran out of gas on Arlington Road in Green. Carlson allegedly then went to the BP station on Arlington Road and attempted to steal another vehicle, but was unsuccessful.
Investigators say Carlson then ran to the Taco Bell next door on Arlington Road and carjacked a vehicle in the drive-thru line. After a struggle with the female driver of the car, Carlson fled with the driver's three children, who were ages 6, 5 and 2.
Carlson eventually crashed the stolen car into a building, let two of the children out, but proceeded to keep driving with the 2-year-old in the back seat. He stopped at the Circle K on Massillon Road and removed the child. A gas station employee told 3News that the child was crying out "mommy, mommy," and was helped by a good Samaritan.
Carlson was eventually arrested in Akron after an on-foot pursuit by police.
3News previously spoke with the children's mother about the horrific incident:
“There were no words to describe the amount of pain. 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.”
At this time a sentencing date for Carlson has not been set.
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