CALGARY - Randall Hopley, wanted in the abduction of a three-year-old Sparwood, B.C., boy, has been arrested.

Police had been hunting for Hopley since he allegedly stole Kienan Hebert from his home late last Tuesday or early Wednesday.

The boy was returned unharmed to his home early Sunday.

Several reports say Hopley is in custody, found at a gravel pit near Crowsnest Pass, close to the Alberta-B.C. border.

Kienan's dad Paul Hebert expressed relief and happiness at news of the arrest of a suspect in the case.

"It means closure," he said.

"I'm extremely happy for the whole community, I'm absolutely relieved," he said. "Everybody can sleep well."

Hebert praised the RCMP's efforts in the case, brushing off public criticism about how the Mounties allowed Kienan's abductor to drop the boy off without being caught.

"I think the RCMP have done an awesome job all the way through," Herbert said.

He also expressed his concern for the suspect.

"I just hope Hopley will have his needs taken care of," he said.

As for young Kienan, who was at home playing happily with his siblings Tuesday, Herbert said the boy didn't seem to skip a beat.

"He was stronger than all of us," he said.