LAPD Investigates Man who Stole SUV with 4-Year-Old Child Inside NR10019ah

Los Angeles:  Investigators from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) are looking for a man who stole a car and sped off with a 4-year-old boy inside early this morning in Granada Hills.

Approximately 30 minutes later, the car was found and the child was reunited with his mother.

The SUV, with the boy in a car seat, had been left running in a driveway in the 10000 block of Gaviota Avenue around 6:15 a.m.  According to detectives, the mother of the child went inside the home to get her infant.  As she walked to the front door of her home, she saw a man inside her SUV backing out of the driveway and called 9-1-1.

The SUV was equipped with LoJack. After the operator broadcasted the call, several squad cars, also equipped with LoJack, started searching for the vehicle.  “They picked up a signal and tracked the vehicle a few blocks from where the car was stolen,” said Lieutenant Grey Doyle.  The vehicle was found abandoned near Debra Avenue and Mayall Street.

Investigators have few leads and there is no suspect description.

Anyone with information about this crime is urged to call LAPD’s Devonshire Division detectives at 818-832-0609.  During non-business hours or on weekends calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.