Dayton man accused of kidnapping minivan with baby inside pleads guilty

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A Dayton man accused of stealing a minivan with a 3-month-old baby inside pleaded guilty to charges Thursday.

Richard Bruce Leet, 57, pleaded guilty to kidnapping and grand theft (motor vehicle) during a hearing in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, according to court records.

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Kidnapping, abduction and interference with custody charges were dismissed.

Leet is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 14.

He was scheduled to go to trial Oct. 21.

On May 9, Dayton police responded to a Clark Oil gas station on Gettysburg Avenue after receiving a frantic 911 call from a woman who said her minivan was stolen with a baby inside.

“He just pulled off in my car,” the woman yelled to dispatchers. “It’s a baby in the car.”

The caller said she was babysitting the baby for her cousin when the theft happened.

The baby was found safe inside the minivan a short distance away.

>> RELATED: Man accused of stealing minivan with baby inside faces kidnapping, other charges

Leet was arrested the next day.

He was indicted on two counts of kidnapping, abduction, grand theft (motor vehicle) and interference with custody.

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