A former University of Wisconsin football player accused of kidnapping his 3-year-old daughter at gunpoint in south suburban Lansing has been arrested.
Marcus Randle-El is charged with home invasion and child abduction for allegedly taking his daughter from the home in the 2100 block of 175th St. on Jan. 23, according to a statement from Lansing police.
Before officers arrived about 8:15 p.m., Marcus Randle-El allegedly forced his way into the apartment of his former girlfriend with a handgun. He took his 3-year-old daughter and drove off in a black SUV, police said.
The SUV was found a short time later in south suburban Riverdale, but neither Randle-El nor his daughter were inside. Police said a “subject of interest” was taken into custody there.
Illinois State Police issued an AMBER Alert for the girl late Thursday night. Police were in contact with the girl’s family during the search and she was brought to the Lansing Police Department within five hours of the alleged kidnapping, Lansing police said.
The alert was called off about 12:40 a.m. Friday, but officials did not say who returned the girl. She has since been reunited with her mother.
Lansing police and the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force took Randle-El into custody, police said.
He will appear for a bond hearing at the Markham courthouse Friday.
Randle-El played wide receiver for the Badgers from 2004 to 2007. His brother is former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antwaan Randle-El.
