HAMMOND | A 1-year-old boy who disappeared Thursday after an acquaintance of his parents tried to break in to a fireworks store was later found safe in Chicago, police said.
Jamara Strong disappeared about 1:45 p.m. Thursday from the 4200 block of Calumet Avenue after two of his parents' acquaintances drove away in his parents' car, Hammond police said. The child's parents were inside buying fireworks when one of the acquaintances attempted to break in to the business through a side door, police said.
After the unsuccessful attempt to gain entry, the person rushed back to the car and took off with the child and the other acquaintance, police said. The child's disappearance prompted an Amber Alert.
The child's mother found him about six hours later at their neighbor's house in Chicago after she returned home, Hammond Police Chief Brian Miller said.
Miller said the child's first name is Jamara. The Amber Alert listed his name as Jamari.
The boy's parents initially told Hammond police they were buying fireworks in that area when two individuals stole their car with their son inside.
The couple's story changed under police questioning, Miller said. They later told police they had picked up two people from a Chicago police station and drove to Indiana to purchase the fireworks.
One of the people waited in the car with the child, Miller said. The other individual got out of the car and attempted to break in to the business, Miller said.
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