Updated 12:05 PM
SPAFFORD, ONONDAGA COUNTY -- Virginia Beach police say a man wanted in connection with a carjacking and abduction of a toddler has been arrested in Central New York.
Virginia Beach police spokeswoman Margie Long says 24-year-old Matthew R. Nash was arrested about 4:30 a.m. Thursday in the Town of Spafford. He was arraigned on a charge of third degree criminal possession of stolen property and unlawfully fleeing police. A not guilty plea was entered by the judge. Nash is being held at the Onondaga County Justice Center without bail.
One-year-old Naomi Hilel was found in a hotel parking lot in Newport News Wednesday hours after a man pushed her mother out of the way while she was pumping gas in Virginia Beach. The man stole the family's minivan with Hilel still in her car seat.
New York authorities spotted the van on Interstate 81 around 10:30 p.m., but two attempted stops were unsuccessful. Police later found the vehicle abandoned and began a manhunt that ended when Nash was located in some woods near Route 41 in Spafford.
Court records show that Nash pleaded guilty in 2006 to drug charges and was sentenced to 10 years with eight years suspended. He also was wanted in Camillus on a harassment charge.
Nash is due back in Spafford Town Court on Wednesday, July 22 at 6:00 PM.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
