Two teenagers from Central Islip have been arrested in connection with the theft of a car that had a three-year-old child inside. The incident occurred just before midnight last Thursday on Whipple Street in Brentwood. Suffolk County police said the child was later found unharmed.
Police launched an extensive search for the stolen vehicle, a 2014 Honda Civic, which had been taken from a driveway with the child still in the back seat. The car was located around 5 a.m. on Bretton Road in Hauppauge, bringing relief to the community. The child was found inside and appeared unharmed, then taken to Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip for evaluation, according to Long Island News 12.
According to the Suffolk County Police Department, one of the 17-year-old suspects has been taken into custody and charged with grand larceny, endangering the welfare of a child, and reckless endangerment. Authorities have not released the suspects’ names because of their juvenile status. The incident has renewed concerns about the serious risks posed by such crimes and their impact on innocent lives.
Detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the car theft and are asking anyone with information to come forward. Members of the public can contact the Suffolk County Police Department’s Third Squad at 631-854-8352, or provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 (TIPS), as per PIX11 News.
