A Los Angeles man suspected of being the so-called "Diaper Bandit" was charged Friday with stealing diapers from stores in the Long Beach area and leading police on a pursuit that ended with a crash that severely injured a 6-year-old child.
Darrion Tyrone Parker, 23, pleaded not guilty to six felony counts of second-degree robbery and one felony count each of fleeing a pursuing peace officer's motor vehicle causing serious bodily injury and resisting an executive officer.
Parker allegedly stole diapers with the threat of force from several supermarkets and retail stores in the Long Beach area between December 2016 and this month, according to prosecutors. On Wednesday, a store employee reportedly confronted him in a parking lot about stealing merchandise before Parker allegedly fled the location, according to the District Attorney's Office.
Police began chasing Parker, who allegedly crashed his vehicle into another car and severely injured a 6-year-old passenger in that car, according to the District Attorney's Office. He allegedly tried to escape on foot, but was eventually taken into custody, prosecutors said.
Parker is due back in a Long Beach courtroom Nov. 29. He could face up to 18 years in state prison if convicted as charged, according to the District Attorney's Office.
