Man receives prison, probation sentence for kidnapping, theft charges

UPDATE 11:45 a.m. 9/26/22: The sentencing hearing for a man who pleaded guilty to kidnapping and vehicle theft wrapped up just before noon on Monday.

Sharmarke Abdi, 28, has been sentenced to three years, six months on the first count and one year, one day on the second count, which will be served concurrently.

Up to Sept. 26, Abdi has accrued 313 days of credit for the sentence.

Abdi was also sentenced to serve two years of probation and ordered to be registered as a predatory offender for 10 years.

Before the judge announced his sentence, Abdi spoke about his recovery from substance abuse, given that a factor in the case was his use of substances the night of the theft and kidnapping.

“Sitting here for ten months allowed me to get well and return to a sense of normalcy, and allowed me to address my sleep problems and PTSD nightmares through proper medication,” Abdi said.

Abdi noted that his actions caused events “no mother or child” should have to go through and took responsibility despite his mental state at the time.

Read an earlier version of this story below.

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INITIAL REPORT 7:10 a.m. 9/26/22: Court records show a man charged with stealing a car with a child inside of it is scheduled to be sentenced on Monday morning.

As previously reported, 28-year-old Sharmarke Abdi was charged with kidnapping and theft after Minneapolis police say he got into a Door Dash driver’s vehicle last November as she was picking up an order.

The driver’s seven-year-old son was inside the vehicle at the time.

Eventually, Abdi was tracked down, and the boy was returned to his mother unharmed.

According to the criminal complaint, Abdi admitted to taking the car, and also knew the child was inside at the time.

The sentencing hearing is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

Check back for updates as the sentencing moves forward.