FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - A car was found after being stolen in Fort Lauderdale, police said, with a small child in the back seat.
According to officials, the car, which had a 1-year-old girl inside, was stolen by a man near 2492 NW 26th Ave. just after 11 a.m. on Wednesday morning.
“I walked in for a couple of minutes, came out for getting something for her because she was sleeping. The car was gone,” said the child’s father Jonathan Rabb.
The thief was on a bicycle before stealing the car, police said.
“Dude left his bicycle. Basically he had a bicycle, was passing, saw my car, saw an opportunity and he took it,” Rabb said.
Police said they found the gray 2006 Toyota Avalon just before noon at 2400 NW 20th St. The infant was also found in good health.
Surveillance images caught the man running from the area.
“I think once they noticed that baby back there, they said, ‘Oh, let me pull this car over and get out of this car ’cause I’m in trouble now,'” said neighbor Barbara Parker.
Neighbor Mary Lewis-Jones said she prayed for the safe return of the child.
“I saw the young man, that baby got stolen. I saw him standing, so we begin to pray,” she said. “Yeah, we begin to pray and pray for the safety of the baby.”
Now, police are searching for the subject.
“You know your daughter is missing and gone, and you can’t do anything about it but sit there? And not knowing what she’s going through?” Rabb said shaking his head. “Whether she’s crying or [going to be] in an accident or [going to] die or [if you’re going to] get her back. All I can say is God is good.”
He said he feared the worst upon seeing the missing car with his child inside. “All I wanted was my daughter back. That’s it,” Rabb said. “That’s all I could think about was getting her back in my arms safe and sound.”
Police described the subject as a black male, approximately 18 to 22 years old, 5 foot 8 inches to 5 foot 9 inches tall and weighs approximately 135 to 145 pounds. They say he was last seen wearing a white shirt, white shorts, white hat and slides.
If you have any information on this carjacking, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.
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