A Youngstown man who had his vehicle stolen from a convenience store in the 1800 block of Mahoning Avenue with three children inside the vehicle in 2022 has filed a lawsuit against the store.

According to the court filing, Brian VanDusen filed the lawsuit in November, alleging that the Circle K store was negligent in preventing harm to customers due to a lack of security at the location from a person who had allegedly threatened, harassed, and used intimidating behavior on previous occasions at the store.

The court filing is asking for an amount exceeding $25,000 for himself and the three minors inside the vehicle from an incident where a man got into VanDusen's vehicle on November 5, 2022, and drove away with three minors sleeping inside the vehicle.

The filing alleges that Abraham Jimenez-Zenquiz, the man who stole the vehicle with the minors inside, was a known figure by employees at the store. The lawsuit also states VanDusen had previously reported Jimenez-Zenquiz's behavior to the store and was known to frequent the facility.

Jimenez-Zenquiz pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 5 to 7.5 years in prison in February.

The lawsuit asks for damages plus costs and interest from alleged injuries suffered.

No court date has been set in the case.