The two children, who Chesterfield County Sheriff Sam Parker says were abducted by their father, have been recovered and are safe, and their father has been arrested.
An Amber Alert was issued about 10:30 a.m.
Dennis Matthew Penny II, 5, and his sister, Grace Elizabeth Penny, 2, were forcibly taken from their home in the Mount Croghan area of Chesterfield County by their father around 7:30 a.m., according to Sheriff Parker.
Their father is Dennis Matthew Penny, II, 37.
There was an emergency family court hearing pending involving the custody of the children, Parker said.
Police investigating the disappearance of the children issued the Amber Alert, then discovered Thursday morning that Penny withdrew money from a Lancaster bank. Officers then spotted Penny, who pulled over after a short chase.
Authorities say Penny refused to get out of the truck with his children and drove off after officers tried to pull him out. The chase ended after Penny drove into a field and was trapped between pursuing officers and a fence.
"Very concerned. It's all about the children and this time of the year being Christmas. It's kind of heart felt and that's a sad situation for all of us. You know, law enforcement has hearts of gold," Parker said.
Parker explained they already have a warrant against Penny for Kidnapping and will soon have obtained one on a Burglary charge.
"We're very pleased and very thankful that they now will have a Christmas and they'll be with a parent that loves them," Parker said.
