A Minneapolis family lived every parent's nightmare on Tuesday, when a 3-month-old infant was caught in the middle of a car theft, but the story ended with relief. Police said the baby was found safe in the stolen car after officers recovered the vehicle, which had been taken from a daycare parking lot earlier in the day. Officers located the child before an Amber Alert could be issued, authorities said. By the time the car and baby were found, the suspect was gone, and no arrests were immediately reported.
According to KARE 11, officers received an alert with descriptions of both the vehicle and the infant, then tracked down the stolen car on the 1500 block of Bryant Avenue North in north Minneapolis. The outlet reports the family had briefly parked at a daycare when the vehicle was taken.
Officers Located Infant Before Amber Alert
Minneapolis officials said the quick recovery meant an Amber Alert was not necessary because officers found the child before one could be issued. City materials and police warn that leaving keys in a running or unlocked vehicle turns cars into easy targets and can put children at immediate risk. Per the Minneapolis Office of Community Safety, leaving a car unattended while it is running is a common factor in vehicle thefts and is explicitly addressed in local guidance.
Why This Keeps Happening
Local reporting underscores how quickly these "crimes of opportunity" play out. The Star Tribune reported last year that roughly 16% of stolen vehicles in Minneapolis were taken with keys or fobs left inside, and several recent recoveries ended with children found unharmed after swift police work. Police say simple steps such as shutting off the engine, keeping keys on your person and never leaving a child inside can make a big difference.
Police asked anyone with information about Tuesday's theft to contact investigators or CrimeStoppers, and urged caregivers never to leave a child unattended in a vehicle. As KARE 11 notes, these incidents are brief but potentially dangerous; police say securing your vehicle and child before stepping away can prevent tragedies.
