OAKLAND PARK, FLA. (WSVN) - Authorities are searching for a man who, they said, stole a car with a 3-year-old boy inside from the parking lot of a restaurant in Oakland Park.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Phillip Pepe Jr. broke into the vehicle that was parked outside of the IHOP along West Oakland Park Boulevard, Saturday morning.
Investigators said the child’s mother was inside the restaurant at the time of the incident.
“They spoke with the mother who was exiting the IHOP and discovered that her vehicle, along with her 3-year-old son who was inside, were both missing,” said BSO Spokesperson Miranda Grossman.
Detectives said Pepe, 33, was wearing a white T-shirt and blue shorts. He has a tattoo on his right arm and an abrasion under his left eye.
Authorities said the boy was found safe inside the car minutes after he was taken, but as of Sunday afternoon, Pepe remains at large.
“Deputies immediately began searching the area, they called BSO’s K-9 unit, aviation and VIPER unit, and within minutes, they were able to locate the vehicle and just a few blocks away,” Grossman said.
BSO said this incident is a good reminder for parents to never leave their child in a car no matter for how long.
“We always encourage people, whether you leave your car for a few hours or a few minutes, to always turn your car off, lock your car, take out anything valuable. pets. children, that’s always something that law enforcement encourages,” Grossman said.
If you have any information that could help deputies find the suspect, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
Copyright 2026 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.