TAYLORSVILLE — A 6-year-old girl is safe after an unknown man attempted to steal a vehicle with her inside.
The girl's mother had started the car, intending to leave the Oak Meadows condominiums, 4158 S. Oak Meadows Drive, with the child at about 9:20 p.m. Friday. Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal said the mother realized she had forgotten something inside her friend's condo, "which was right close by the car."
"She was only gone for a matter of moments," Hoyal said. "But in that time, the suspect stole the car with the child still inside. It appears this was a crime of opportunity for him."
About five minutes later, the child was located not far from the abandoned vehicle near 1300 West and 4100 South. Witnesses told police they saw a man get out of the stolen car and into another vehicle that had arrived there to pick him up, Hoyal said.
The man was not apprehended, but the child was uninjured and returned to her mother, as was the vehicle.
"This is one of those unfortunate reminders that you can't leave your car running and unattended, especially with your children in the car," Hoyal said. "This was a very happy ending to something that could have been very tragic."
— Wendy Leonard