SHP stops Lexus after chase on I-40 in Benson, 5-year-old girl found safe, mom in custody

A 5-year-old girl and the subject of an Amber Alert was found safe with her mother Thursday morning after a chase on Interstate-40.

Posted 11:06 p.m. Aug 10, 2022 — Updated 3:36 p.m. Aug 11, 2022

Nia Harden

, WRAL reporter

CARY, N.C. — A 5-year-old Cary girl and subject of an Amber Alert was found safe Thursday morning after authorities said her mother, a behavior health patient, injured two UNC Rex employees, stole a hospital vehicle and took the girl from her home.

Amani Jade Bruce was found in a Lexus with her mother, Crystal Beatrice Walston, after a chase down Interstate-40 in Johnston County.

Sky 5 video showed an officer carrying the little girl after the chase was over. She appeared unharmed and was hugging a blanket and stuffed animal. The video also showed a woman, believed to be Amani's mom, being handcuffed and guided into a police car.

Police said the girl was taken from her home on Rosedown Drive in Cary on Wednesday evening after her mother left UNC Rex Hospital on Lake Boone Trail.

Walston stole a UNC Rex SUV and headed toward Rosedown Drive to take her daughter. Once she arrived at her home, she switched to a Lexus.

A caller spotted the silver 2011 Lexus RX350 matching the description of the Amber Alert Thursday morning and called authorities. State Highway Patrol said the Lexus was spotted near Exit 306 in the Garner area, and a chase toward Johnston County ensued when the Lexus sped away from officers.

Officers used a rolling roadblock technique to safely slow and stop the Lexus, and Walston was taken into custody without incident.

Records show Walston was previously charged with second-degree kidnapping, breaking and entering and assault on a child under 12 in September of 2021.

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